by Dave Melanson (University of Kentucky) The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) are launching a survey as part of a collaborative Biomass Feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Project, which is funded by
feedstock storage
Back TO HOMEThe Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Herbaceous Energy Crop Production in the Southeast US.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the potential for cellulosic bioenergy crop production? Cellulosic bioenergy crop production is a nascent industry in the U.S. and has the potential to supply 5% of U.S. energy demand while achieving increased carbon reduction.
October 25, 2024 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Single-Pass, Weather Independent Fractionation Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) An estimated 60% of the available corn stover will be collected in excess of 20% moisture resulting in a lack of ability to produce a reliable feedstock with conventional harvest and storage systems. A team of
October 21, 2024 Read Full Article
Eco-Energy Commences Operations at its Newton, Iowa Renewable Feedstock Distribution Terminal
(Eco-Energy/Business Wire) Eco-Energy, a leading renewable energy supply chain company, has commenced operations at its newly built renewable feedstock distribution facility located in Newton, Iowa. The facility will provide Marathon Petroleum Company the ability to aggregate renewable feedstocks (e.g., distillers corn
October 16, 2024 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Process Intensification in the Supply Chain
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A team of researchers have designed a project to utilize post-harvest physiology and chemistry tools during long-term storage and queuing to positively impact downstream processes through reduced chemical and energy input. They aim to enhance anatomical fractionation,
October 15, 2024 Read Full Article
VTTI and Connex Intend to Develop Renewable Feedstock Pretreatment Facility in Amsterdam
(VTTI) VTTI and Connex are joining forces to develop a renewable feedstock or 'Greenstock' Pretreatment Facility (GPF) at VTTI’s terminal in Amsterdam (ETA). -- VTTI, an industry leader in energy infrastructure, and Connex, a renewable feedstocks trader, are joining forces to develop
October 11, 2024 Read Full Article
DOE Issues Notice Of Intent to Fund Industrial Partnerships across the Bioenergy and Bioproducts Value Chain
(U.S. Department of Energy/SAF Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office's Feedstock- Conversion Interface Consortium intends to issue an industrial partnership call (IPC) to allow collaboration between industry stakeholders and FCIC researchers. These partnerships will address the cost and risk impacts of
July 24, 2024 Read Full Article
BETO Launches New Renewable Carbon Resources Web Page
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (B&C Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has launched a new, comprehensive web page dedicated to one of its priority subprograms, Renewable Carbon Resources (RCR), which
June 08, 2023 Read Full Article
NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc. and Dansuk Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Low-Carbon Feedstock Partnership
(NEXT Renewable Fuels/AccessWire) MOU Underpins Feedstock Confidence for NEXT; Expands Global Trading for Dansuk -- NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc. ("NEXT") and Dansuk Industrial Corporation ("Dansuk") have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") to jointly develop strategic and commercial partnerships
May 17, 2023 Read Full Article
Vopak Opens New Infrastructure to Support Sustainable Energy Production in the Port of Rotterdam
(Voppak/Yahoo! Finance) Vopak celebrates the opening of 16 new tanks with a combined capacity of 64,000 cubic meters at its Vlaardingen terminal in the port of Rotterdam. The new tanks are designed to store waste-based feedstocks for the production of
May 11, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Understanding and Mitigating the Impacts of Feedstock Variability in Bioconversion Processes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium is led by DOE as a collaborative effort among researchers from 9 National Labs. It’s Key Ideas? That biomass feedstock properties are variable and different from other commodities; and, that empirical
February 01, 2023 Read Full Article
Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium Annual Review of Research FY 2021
(U.S. Department of Energy) Led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) is a multi-lab collaboration that develops first-principles-based knowledge and tools to understand, quantify, and mitigate the effects of feedstock and process
October 05, 2022 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Improved Advanced Biomass Logistics Utilizing Woody Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Harvesting and transportation makes up 40 –60% of the delivered cost of SRWC and are an important source of GHG emissions. Harvesting systems are not well developed — throughput decreases up to 65% from harvester
October 04, 2022 Read Full Article
In Search of a Later Biomass Expiration Date
by Nichole Fitzgerald (U.S. Department of Energy) How Idaho National Laboratory's Dr. Lynn Wendt has come to understand and mitigate the detrimental impacts of biomass decay after harvest. -- Renewable biomass is one of the key clean energy resources that will
March 21, 2022 Read Full Article
Vopak Building Storage for Shell Biorefinery
(Tank Storage) Vopak and Shell have begun a long-term co-operation deal under which Vopak will store and supply feedstocks for Shell’s biorefinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from its Vlaardingen terminal. Shell’s 820,000 tpa biorefinery at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam will produce
February 18, 2022 Read Full Article
Stolen Cooking Oil Impacts Biodiesel Industry
by Caroline Foreback (PA Homepage) There’s been a rise in restaurant cooking oil thefts in our area. A multi-million dollar industry that thieves are taking a huge chunk out of. Tuesday night Eyewitness News heard from a business owner who feels he
January 19, 2022 Read Full Article
Kinder Morgan and Neste Partner on Major Renewable Fuels Logistics Project in the United States
(Neste/CISION) Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI), one of North America's largest energy infrastructure companies, is partnering with Neste, one of the leading providers of renewable and circular solutions, to create a premier domestic raw material storage and logistics hub in the United States, supporting increased
September 14, 2021 Read Full Article
IMTT to Expand Renewable Fuels Terminal Capacity
(International-Matex Tank Terminals) International-Matex Tank Terminals LLC (“IMTT”) is pleased to announce its next major project in the renewable fuels space. Consistent with our desire to build infrastructure to support our customers’ low-carbon fuels strategy, IMTT will build additional tanks,
August 27, 2021 Read Full Article
BETO’s Bioenergy Data Workshop: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioenergy Data
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergyEfficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) just released the workshop summary report from the virtual event they hosted last summer that discussed how to collect and valorize
April 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Vopak Invests in Extra Storage Capacity at Rotterdam for Biofuels
(Biofuels International) Vopak is investing in the Port of Rotterdam for the storage of waste-based feedstocks for the production of biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel. The market for energy from renewable sources in Europe is rising as a result of
March 12, 2021 Read Full Article
2019 Project Peer Review Report Published
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review on March 4–7, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. During the event, 447 projects in BETO’s research portfolio were presented in 14 simultaneous review
September 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Biomass Alliance for Logistics Efficiency and Specifications: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to BALES Bioenergy Feedstock Analysis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bale analysis, probes, core samples – measuring and analysis of bioenergy feedstocks is key. In this illuminating slide guide from ABLC Digital, the Idaho National Laboratory, Antares Group, ASDI, and B Hames Consulting share how bale
August 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Feedstock Supply Chains & Clariant’s Experience in Romania
by Paolo Corvo (Clariant/Biofuels Digest) ... The success of making use of that sustainable biomass resource and a rapid uptake of bioenergy technologies relies on many factors. One of it is the cost of feedstock, which is directly dependent on the
November 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Solving Feedstock Challenges Today
(Department of Energy) The INL (Idaho National Laboratory) Bioenergy Program's mission is to support DOE in achieving their vision by developing processes and technologies through applied science and engineering that remove the barriers associated with accessing a sustainable, efficient feedstock supply. INL
June 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Government, National Labs, Academia, and Industry Convene at the 2019 BETO Peer Review! Presentations Now Available
(U.S. Department of Energy) From March 4–8, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. This was the largest Peer Review
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0002029: FY19 Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement
(U.S. Department of Energy) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will provide funding to address the highest priority R&D areas within biofuel technologies, bioproducts, and biopower. It includes Areas of Interest (AOIs) from all five BETO programs: Feedstock Supply and Logistics; Advanced
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomass Quality Challenges: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Idaho National Laboratory
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) INL is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s complex of national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of the strategic goal areas of DOE: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s
April 30, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Department of Energy 2019 Project Peer Review --- March 4-8, 2019 --- Denver, Colorado
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the 2019 Project Peer Review on March 4-8, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. Approximately 90% of projects in BETO’s early-stage research and development portfolio will be presented to the public
October 29, 2018 Read Full Article
The Relay Race toward Energy Security: Passing the Baton from Bioenergy Research to Industrial Commercialization
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy) ... One approach is through using domestic biomass resources, such as agricultural and forestry residues, grasses, and municipal solid waste. But, how do these biological materials make it from the field or forest to
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
BETO Launches New Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium
(Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is proud to announce the establishment of the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium—a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming technical uncertainty in research and development of robust biomass supply,
December 05, 2017 Read Full Article
What Price Biomass? The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Feedstock Supply Forecasting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How much biomass is there? What types, prices, when will they be available, and produced by whom, and how? These are questions that the US Department of Energy undertook to answer, to address a program-wide need
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Presentations from BETO’s 2017 Project Peer Review Now Online
On March 6–9, 2017, BETO hosted its biennial Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. During the event, approximately 192 projects in BETO’s research and development (R&D) portfolio were presented to the public and a panel of external subject matter experts.
May 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Research Focus: Improving the Conversion Process for Sorghum Bagasse Biomass
by Abdul-Sattar Nizami (King Abdulaziz University, Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES)) (RenewableEnergyFocus.com) The conservation of biomass is essential for ensuring a continuous and quality supply of feedstock for biofuel facilities around the year. However, the conservation of biomass
April 14, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE and USDA Issue Notice of Intent for Biomass Research and Development Initiative
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is announcing its
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
2016 Billion-Ton Report Volume 2 Analyzes Environmental Effects
(U.S. Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The 2016 Billion-Ton Report (BT16), Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1, jointly released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a pioneering
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Seeking Low Costs, Painless Logistics: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Advances to Know in Biomass Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Amidst the discussion this week of the future of first-gen and advanced biofuels in the EU — we were intrigued by this slide deck on advances in biomass production for the bioeconomy. In the end, it’s
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
A Successful Supply Chain Strategy: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Equinox
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In developing a bioconversion project, the steps are numerous, interconnected and complex. Conducting a feasibility study, feedstock supply & market analysis, developing a business plan, funding initial development, choosing process technology, selecting a design/builder, selecting a site,
August 22, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s DOE Doing about Feedstock Costs? The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE’s Feedstock Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is it just cost that bedevils industrial biotechnology in bringing fuels technologies to scale. Not just, says BETO program director Jonathan Male, who adds that a DOE “Tiger Team” indentified many other factors: What about these? Use
August 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Business Strategies for Transitioning the Bioeconomy to a Landscape with Long-Term Profitability
by Mahmood Ebadian (Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group/Biomass Supply Chain Consulting Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ...With specialization occurring in feedstock engineering, these new business entities will be well-positioned to produce multiple products including both intermediate and final bio-products. In other words, they
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Future of Bioenergy Is in This Book-less Library
by Cory Hatch (Renewable Energy World) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library contains no books. What it does contain is information about biomass — organic material such as corn stover, switchgrass, wood chips and wheat straw. Nearly 50,000 biomass database entries and
May 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Biomass Supply Chain Trade-Offs: Basis for Successful Bioenergy Businesses
by Rajdeep Golech (Biomass Magazine) Feedstock sourcing is a critical aspect in the development of cellulosic biofuel businesses. -- Emphasis toward greenhouse gas reduction and massive availability of agriculture and forest residue has led to an increased interest in converting
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Bringing in the Biomass for Cellulosic Ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A multitude of questions surround the challenge of bringing in the mountains of biomass needed to feed a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant: Are crop residues a reliable resource? Will farming communities support the
September 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania State University (PSU): An Example to Follow
by Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) I had heard about Pennsylvania State University's bioenergy and biofuels educational initiatives from Advanced Biofuels USA's Joanne Ivancic, just after starting to work on a project to identify college level biofuels education
May 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Press Release: “Should Corn Land Be Used for Bioenergy/Biomaterial Crops?” Advanced Biofuels USA Publishes Thought-Provoking New Approach to Food, Feed, Fuel and Fiber Crop Land Use
October 6, 2014—Columbus, OH -- Robert Kozak of Atlantic Biomass Conversions contributes his thoughtful approach to answering these questions* posed by Biofuels Digests’s Jim Lane: “As the first wave of cellulosic biorefineries launch — is there really enough affordable feedstock
October 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Boosting Biomass for Bioenergy
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Many dedicated energy crops hold promise as feedstocks for next-generation ethanol. Extensive R&D is still needed, however, to overcome the challenges in making these plants viable for commercial applications. ... This year, $12.6 million was awarded to
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Energy Sorghum Demonstrates Potential During Dry Summer
by Dan Conable (Cato Analytics LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Despite weather challenges and the learning curve for farmers unfamiliar with this energy sorghum, one of the first commercial-scale plantings of the crop in the northeastern U.S. has been a success. More than 400
September 24, 2012 Read Full Article
Switchgrass Ethanol Research Looks to Yield Big Benefits
by Larry Dreiling (High Plains MidWest Ag Journal) Construction has begun in Hugoton, Kan., on the nation's first commercial scale biomass fuel refinery. Abengoa Bioenergy's new, 23 million-gallon annual throughput refinery will take biomass, mainly switchgrass, and turn it into ethanol. One
November 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Pellet Technology Targets Cellulosic Ethanol Producers
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Nebraska-based Pellet Technology LLC is teaming up with CPM to offer second-generation biofuels producers a solution to the logistical issues surrounding the use of bulky biomass as feedstocks. Pellet Technology, which became commercially active
June 03, 2011 Read Full Article
U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Funding for Biomass Research and Development Initiative
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) To support President Obama's goal of reducing America's oil imports by one-third by 2025, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) today jointly announced up to $30 million over three to four years that
April 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Summary of Cellulosic Biofuels Feedstock Supply Chain Forum
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Animated discussion characterized the fourth day of the Infocast series on cellulosic biofuels. Much is at stake. The industry is so close to being able to find success. If gasoline was $4.00/gallon, implementation would
December 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Obama’s Riding the (Cellulosic) Ethanol Pony—Here’s Why He Should Buck the Trend
by Tom Philpott (Gist) ...Not surprisingly, according to a Reuters account of Vilsack's speech, the USDA chief barely mentioned corn ethanol. Instead, he fixated on "assistance, from field to filling station, to bring next-generation biofuels to market." That means cellulosic
October 28, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Interface :Uniform Format Design and Deployable Process Demonstration Unit
by Dr. Christopher Wright (Research Engineer, Idaho National Laboratory) Dr. Wright's presentation describes his current project on the creation of a mobile unit to preprocess bales of cellulosic feedstock into a form that can be utilized by a fuel production facility. He
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Interface: Desirable Wood Properties for Biofuels Production
by Dr. Theodore Wegner (Assistant Director, Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service) Dr. Wegner begins with an interesting profile of the demand for advanced biofuels, and the different pathways to produce biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks. He shows the distribution
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock-Conversion Interface Projects – Connecting Feedstock Resources to Conversion Processes
by Dr. J. Richard Hess (Biomass Program Technology Manager, Idaho National Laboratory) Dr. Hess details the biomass attributes that impact the nature of and cost of feedstock preparation, biochemical conversion, and thermochemcal conversion, along with general flow diagrams for each process.
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Logistics: Myths, Mysteries, and Misconceptions
by Bob Matousek (Manager of Plant and Harvesting Research and Development, Agco Corporation) Mr. Matousek's presentation discusses techniques for collecting corn crop residues into solid bales that can be transported to fuel production facilities. He details research performed on equipment
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Convergence of Agriculture and Energy: IV. Infrastructure Considerations for Biomass Harvest, Transportation, and Storage
by Jerry Fruin (Chair), Mark D. Stowers, Kelly Tiller (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) The sustainable collection of biomass feedstocks is an important consideration for cellulosic ethanol production. The sustainable amount of biomass that can be removed from the
September 21, 2010 Read Full Article
Challenges in Scaling Up Biofuels Infrastructure
by Tom Richard (Pennsylvania State University/Science) Rapid growth in demand for lignocellulosic bioenergy will require major changes in supply chain infrastructure. Even with densification and preprocessing, transport volumes by mid-century are likely to exceed the combined capacity of current agricultural