Advanced Biofuels USA Discusses Mission and New Educational Resources in DigestConnect Presentation

(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA's executive director, Joanne Ivancic, described the new educational materials developed by the organization in response to the Covid-19 pandemic-influenced need for online, user-friendly resources with basic information for a wide audience. Appearing on DigestConnect, a weekly webinar hosted by Jim Lane of Biofuels Digest, enabled Ivancic to reach hundreds of people in a world-wide audience via a respected and influential forum this Thursday. The recorded presentations will continue to be available to the public at no charge on BioChannel TV.

Ivancic used the example of "Jo Ordinary Person/Joe Q. Public" standing at a gas station pump trying to figure out what fuel would be best for the environment and best for their car, truck, SUV or business vehicle. Price would be important to that person; they might buy something new if the price were better. However, if they have some vague memory of some warning about changing fuel, and if they aren't an expert or a "car guy," they might just keep using the more polluting, more expensive option.

On the other hand, if they heard something good about the cleaner, greener fuel from a trusted source, and if they knew how to find out if their vehicle could use it, they might take that option. And tell their friends about it.

Imagine that person standing at the pump is a Member of Congress, a local elected official, the economic development person reviewing your project proposal, an agency decision-maker or climate change advocate. That adds to the importance of our educational efforts.

"My basic Biofuels 101 is now available online," Ivancic explained, "as the first installment of our 30/30 series." It reviews renewable fuels from feedstock through logistics and conversion processes to final products, fuels, chemicals and co-products. It explores why renewable fuels are important. The free online package comes with the YouTube video, a PDF of the slides, narration and supporting background and links to resources. It also includes a few pages of suggested topics for guided discussion. LanzaTech encouraged and supported development of these materials.

Additional presentation packets are planned. One will focus on the ancillary benefits of renewable fuels—the value beyond carbon footprints and pollution control.

• From preventing diseases that could be caused by using contaminated gutter oil/used cooking oil to preventing smog due to burning ag waste like paddy straw;
• From preventing fatbergs in England’s sewers to treating sewage at wastewater treatment plants;
• From managing dairy waste, swine manure and food waste to cleaning up industrial smoke stacks and recycling plastics;
• From preventing Gulf and Bay Dead Zones with agricultural nutrient management to cleaning up urban air by having local gas stations offer cleaner, greener, less expensive options.

Another future presentation will provide an overview of many of the ways to convert sustainable feedstocks to fuels and other products.

The short video series, Just A Minute (or So) about Renewable Fuels showcases a quick overview of a particular aspect of renewable fuels and the bioeconomy and circular economy.

They come with an online page that includes links to resource materials and a list of questions that you should be able to answer after watching the video.

These materials are designed with flexibility for use in a wide range of purposes from investors trying to get oriented to the world of renewable fuels to homeschoolers, teachers, students and civic organizations looking for online materials to enhance their class or meeting presentations.

"In our experience, from middle school through college, in the US and in other countries, these basic ideas about renewable fuels are not currently part of anyone’s curriculum. People are always surprised about one aspect or another about renewable fuels, and about their current and potential role in reducing carbon footprints and decreasing air pollution; or about their role in a bioeconomy or circular economy," noted Ivancic as she explained the importance of encouraging wide distribution, promotion and use of these resources.

DigestConnect #43 - Sustainable Aviation Fuels A look at Sustainable Aviation Fuels and the technologies behind them. We were joined by LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis, David Dodds of Dodds and Associates and the Due Diligence Wolfpack and Joanne Ivancic of Advanced Biofuels USA also joined in for a special message. WATCH VIDEO