The Future of Ethanol at Retail Stations. Flexibility and Adaptability Is a Must

Business, Business News/Analysis, Delaware, Deliver Dispense, Funding/Financing/Investing, Infrastructure, Maryland, Other Conferences/Events, Presentations, Resources, Virginia, Washington DC, What You Can Do

October 13, 2021

Print This Article Share it With Friends

(Sustainable Energy Strategies) Will there be liquid fuels at retail stations in the future? Join us for a presentation and lively discussion on the future of higher blends of ethanol. Offered by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Virginia Clean Cities and Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition. WATCH VIDEO PDF of presentation

Written responses to the questions asked at the webinar:

Q1. I am curious about tankage requirements. Are retailers purchasing E10, E15 and E85 at supplier terminals, transporting these separate products to dedicated tanks at their retail locations? Or are they purchasing E10 and E100, storing these separately and blending the final products through the dispenser? Today, retailers are inline blending between two tanks, one with Regular 88 Octane (E10) and one with Flex Fuel (51%-85% ethanol blended with gasoline). The dispenser pumps pull from both tanks to make the blend that is desired, such as E15.

Q2. Can I split a tank with ethanol and unleaded or clean a diesel tank for ethanol? Yes, you can split a tank, and or clean a diesel tank to store your ethanol product.

Q3. Is there a supply of ethanol in MD/VA? Yes, there are several middle marketers already providing ethanol to Virginia and Maryland retailers. Start with your marketer and if they are not willing to supply ethanol, reach out to us.

Q.4. I wish that there was another way to communicate the reduction of GHG other than comparing to the “number of cars taken off the road.” At least clarify that you are talking about cars using E0 gasoline, not the ones using E85 or other renewable blends. If anyone has other ideas, please share them. Thanks for making this point. EPA does have a tool, called the Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. This might help achieve your visual: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator.

Q.5. Does the Maryland State Fire Marshall have regulations or prohibitions for storing E100 at retail source? It is stored at the station as E85 then mixed at the pump. Fire Marshall regulations do not prohibit E85. Please check with the Maryland Comptroller for all fuel regulations beyond the use of E85.

Q.6. Please alert the Comptroller of MD Field Enforcement Bureau when planning to convert retail fuel storage tanks from ULSD to gasoline or ethanol blends or vice versa. We will perform quality inspection and testing of product before sale. Thank you for this reminder. READ MORE

LETTER: Supporting ethanol is important (Sioux City Journal)

Comments are closed.

Advanced BioFuels USA