Heard from the Floor at ABLC — Thursday March 1, 2018

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... On March 1, ABLC 2018 kicked off at the Mayflower Hotel in the heart of D.C. with five Avengers – a superhero bunch who all had a common thread – we are stronger together than apart. We heard over and over again that while adversaries are trying to split us up like a jealous teenager, we can’t be successful unless we work together.

But first the Bioeconomy Policy Forum had lots to talk about in today’s political climate. Mike McAdams from the Advanced Biofuels Association asked ABLC participants to stay engaged, saying “you elect them, I just work with them.” He asked that we work together on the threats of the day which include the 2019 RVO, PES bankruptcy suit, small refinery waivers, tax policy, farm bill, and reduction in biofuels funding by 72%. Emily Skor from Growth Energy said we are the Google, the Uber, the cool kid in class. Why? Because we are innovative and overcome challenges and take on the impossible to make it possible.

The Industry Horizons Forum focused on well, what is on the horizon. The overall outlook on the future was optimistic and that innovation is happening faster thanks to developments in tools.

Eric McAfee from Aemetis announced the $158 million cellulosic ethanol plant they are building from waste orchard wood feedstock in California, using Lanzatech technology. Doug Durante from Clean Fuels Development Coalition said our value proposition has to change when talking with federal government today because if we tell them we can lower carbon emissions and lower dependence on oil, they will say “nope, not interested in either.”

Carbon is getting a second chance, like former racing greyhounds that are having a second chance at life, thanks to Jennifer Holmgren and Lanzatech, earning her the Digest’s Global Bioenergy Leadership Award. Holmgren said the time for debate is over and “I care about what is happening right now, not sea level 10 years from now.”

Nancy Young from Airlines 4 America said “hell yes” we are still very committed to diversified supply and additional fuel in supply chain, even with current political landscape and challenges. They have a goal of 50% net reduction in 2050 relative to 2005 levels and alternative fuels are absolutely critical to reach that goal.

The biofuels session was very optimistic about the future of biofuels. David Cepla from Honeywell UOP said that many countries are taking COP21 seriously and demand will grow for biofuels. Cepla also announced developing interest in Asia, full scale installations of technology scheduled in 2018 in USA and Europe, and recent completion of ISCC certification for biofuel in Europe. Robert Graham from Ensyn said they are in current commissioning of new plant in Quebec to add to their existing operations in Wisconsin and Ontario, for low carbon intensity liquid fuels like heating oil. Using forest slash as the feedstock and a planned 10 million gpy production, it is the biggest plant of its kind in the world. Other expansions planned include 20m gpy biocrude facility in Vienna, GA USA and 22m gpy in Brazil. Sjors Geraedts from GoodFuels said vessel size, biofuels and speed optimization are top 3 things marine industry can change for GHG reduction, but vessel size and speed are not as feasible or cost effective as biofuels.

The day ended with a wine celebration to toast the Hot 50 with Lanzatech topping out with the gold as #1 for the second year in a row, 2^nd place silver went to Amyris, and 3^rd place bronze went to Enerkem. READ MORE