Press Releases
Minneapolis, May 17 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who switched to Minnesota-made E15 at the Winner station in Richfield.
From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded 25 drivers who chose Unleaded Plus (E15). Among the prizes given included $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, St Paul Saints, Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili's and KS95 merchandise.
The radio station's personality, Rudy Pavich, was at the station with MBA staff during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
"As gas prices keep increasing, more and more drivers are searching for a cheaper alternative. Today's promotion was a chance for us to educate consumers on how E15 not only provides them with savings at the pump but also reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and boosts the economy in Minnesota," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
E15 was priced 10 cents less than regular unleaded at Winner.
Today's promotion at the Winner in Richfield was the fourth time MBA and KS95 have teamed up this year at a station in the Twin Cities metro area to educate drivers on the various benefits of using E15. The next promotion will be at a Holiday in St Paul on May 24. More details on the promotion will be announced on MBA's Facebook and Twitter channels early next week.
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Minneapolis, May 24 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who switched to E15 on the Holiday station at Old Hudson Road in St Paul.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded 35 drivers who chose to fuel up with E15. Among the prizes given included $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, the St Paul Saints and the Minnesota Zoo, Chili's gift cards and KS95 merchandise.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, was at the station with MBA staff to during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
"Today's event was an opportunity for us to let drivers know that there's an alternative at the pump that saves them money, is better for the environment and boosts Minnesota's economy," said Tim Rudnicki, MBA executive director.
Today's promotion at the Holiday on Old Hudson Road is the fifth time MBA and KS95 have partnered this year at a station in the Twin Cities metro area to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15. The previous four promotions were at the Winner in Richfield, the Tesoro on Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis, the Holiday on University Avenue in Fridley and the Holiday on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
Minneapolis, June 26 – The EPA’s proposed 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) maintains conventional ethanol blending at 15 billion gallons but does not address gallons that will be lost from the agency’s RVO-waivers to oil refineries.
In a statement today, the EPA proposed the total RVO for 2019 at 19.88 billion gallons, up from 19.29 billion gallons this year. Of the 19.88 billion gallons, 15 billion gallons would be met with corn ethanol. The RVO for corn ethanol this year is also 15 billion gallons.
However, it is estimated that the EPA’s continued issuance of RVO waivers to small oil refineries will reduce corn ethanol consumption by 1.6 billion gallons.
“As long as EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, continues to handout waivers to the oil industry – and he has given no indication that he will stop - the 15-billion-gallon target is fictitious.
“A report today says that even the Department Of Energy (DOE) doesn’t agree with some of the waivers that have been doled out by the EPA,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Reuters reported today that the EPA had granted some refineries full waivers even after the DOE had recommended partial waivers. This included full waivers for refineries owned by a company that posted $1.4 billion in net income in 2017, the report said. The EPA has yet to disclose the companies that have received the RVO waivers.
“These waivers, if left to stand, can eviscerate the very foundation upon which the RFS is built on, which is exactly what the oil industry wants,” Rudnicki said.
Apart from corn ethanol, the EPA also proposed 4.88 billion gallons of advanced biofuels in 2019, up from 4.29 billion in 2018.
Picture caption: MN Biofuels President, Brian Kletscher, delivering his opening remarks at the launch of the 2018 Half Year Report
Minneapolis, July 12 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) released its 2018 Half Year Report to its producer and vendor members at a networking event in Prior Lake yesterday.
The report gave members an overview of Minnesota's ethanol industry in the first six months of 2018 and the various initatives MN Biofuels undertook to increase ethanol consumption in the state. Specifically, the report highlighted the progress MN Biofuels made in the fields of advocacy, communications, fuel marketing and supply in the first half of the year.
"Our work in the first half of 2018 included reforming regulatory processes for ethanol producers, generating millions of ad impressions to drive consumers to E15 fuel dispensers and growing beyong the 14 brands and 284 fuel retailers who now offer E15 in Minnesota," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
He said these initiatives played a crucial role in the record volume of E15 sales in Minnesota this year.
According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, nearly 30 million gallons of E15 was sold in the state during the first five months of 2018, surpassing the total volume sold in 2017 (19.05 million gallons). In May alone, E15 sales in Minnesota totaled 6.74 million gallons, a monthly record.
Nonetheless, Rudnicki said industry also faced unprecedented challenges in the first half of the year.
"Make no mistake, the current attacks on the RFS go to its very core. The seemingly illegal refinery waivers, if left to stand, can eviscerate the very foundation upon which the biofuel industry is built," he said.
Download MN Biofuels' 2018 Half Year Report here.
Picture caption: MN Biofuels Executive Director, Tim Rudnicki, presenting the 2018 Half Year Report
Picture Caption: ICM's headquarters in Colwich, Kansas
Minneapolis, July 20 – Global bio-refining technology provider, ICM, Inc, has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s (MN Biofuels) latest vendor member.
Headquartered in Colwich, Kan., ICM provides the ethanol industry with innovative technologies, solutions, services and diversified feed products.
“We are pleased to welcome ICM as our latest vendor member. ICM is a household name in the ethanol industry globally and has played an integral role in growing the industry over the years,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
ICM Director of Sales, Jeff Scharping, said ICM provides ethanol plants with turn-key solutions to increase ethanol and corn oil production and develop new higher-value feed products. ICM’s fully-integrated custom packages, he said, ensures all of this is accomplished efficiently and at a low cost per gallon while optimizing energy usage.
“We joined MN Biofuels because it is one of the oldest and most dedicated supporters of the ethanol industry in the country. It has been first on many fronts and ICM is proud to support their efforts to promote cleaner energy, higher blends and consumer choice,” he said.
Scharping said some of ICM’s main technologies include:
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Selective Milling Technology and Selective Milling Technology V2 which maximize the amount of starch exposed for conversion to ethanol and oil available for recovery, while preserving fiber for higher value platform applications.
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Fiber Separation Technology (FST) and Fiber Separation Technology Next Gen which are pre-fermentation separation systems that removes fiber prior to fermentation, resulting in more fermentable carbohydrates to be loaded into each batch for fermentation.
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Thin Stillage Solids Separation System which separates the stillage process stream into its most valuable components – protein, solubles and oil. This technology improves dryer and evaporator efficiencies by reducing solids in stillage.
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GEN 1.5 Grain Fiber to Cellulosic Ethanol Technology which takes corn fiber from the FST system and converts it to high-value, D3 RIN cellulosic ethanol gallons in existing fermentation and distillation systems.
ICM’s proprietary process technologies are used in over 100 ethanol plants globally that produce a combined 8.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 25 million tons of distillers grains annually.
Learn more about ICM’s products and technologies here.
Picture caption: ICM's Selective Milling Technology V2
Janesville, July 31 –Teachers from a Minnesota Department of Agriculture program that toured Guardian Energy today are looking at incorporating renewable energy production into their respective curricula.
Twenty-one teachers from the department’s Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program took part in a 75-minute tour of Guardian Energy to get an overview of the role science plays in ethanol production and its importance to Minnesota’s agriculture industry.
“Our teachers are now inspired to bring their students to an ethanol plant and to use the ideas, examples and other knowledge gained from today’s tour within their curricula throughout the school year,” said Sue Knott, an Education Specialist for Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom.
Today’s tour – organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) - was part of a Teacher Day Camp hosted by Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom and Farmamerica in Waseca.
The Teacher Day Camp aims to provide kindergarten through 12th grade educators a first-hand look into the world of agriculture.
“We were delighted to host the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom teachers at our facility and provide them with a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced.
“This great educational opportunity allowed our staff to interact with educators to showcase how local ethanol production enhances our rural economies, improves our state air quality and expands our energy independence,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
During the tour, the teachers learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product shipment.
“This is the first year Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom has included an ethanol plant tour in their Teacher Day Camp and we look forward to organizing more plant tours for educators,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program is a public – private partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.
Minneapolis, Aug 2 – Eden Prairie-based HRST, Inc. has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) as a vendor member.
Formed in 1998, HRST specializes in technical services and product designs for Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), waste heat boilers, power boilers and steam turbines.
“We are pleased to welcome HRST to our growing roster of members. HRST’s experience in improving boiler reliability and performance will help ethanol producers reduce energy costs, lower carbon emissions and maximize production,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
HRST provides inspection, analysis, design upgrades and professional training for more than 250 boilers per year and has regional offices in California, Florida, Maine, Texas and Vietnam.
“We service the combined cycle power generation, processing, petrochemical, and ethanol industries,” said Evan Almberg, analysis engineer at HRST.
He said the company intends to grow its boiler and steam turbine engineering services for the ethanol industry.
Almberg said HRST can perform various projects for the ethanol industry, such as thermal performance assessments, failure analysis of boiler components and design upgrades, as well as thermal oxidizer HRSG inspections.
Among ethanol producers, Guardian Energy, Pacific Ethanol and Flint Hills Resources have recently worked with HRST.
“HRST is well positioned to provide local support to the Minnesota ethanol industry, as well as surrounding states. We learned a great deal about the industry by attending and presenting at our first Fuel Ethanol Workshop in June 2018.
“While there, we were introduced to MN Biofuels and its success representing Minnesota and the national ethanol industry. As plants strive for efficiency and expand production, better understanding the needs of local producers helps us provide the best solutions to meet their HRSG / boiler, steam turbine and combined heat and power needs,” Almberg said.
Learn more about HRST here.
Picture Caption: HRST's steam turbine engineering services
Picture Caption: HRST provides technical services and product designs for Heat Recovery Steam Generators
Aug 7, Minneapolis – Corn fiber-to-cellulosic ethanol technology provider, D3MAX, has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s (MN Biofuels) latest member.
Formed by BBI International in 2015, D3MAX’ corn fiber-to-cellulosic ethanol technology converts the fiber and residual starch in wet cake (wet distillers grains) into cellulosic ethanol.
“We have had a long working relationship with BBI International and we are excited to have D3MAX as a member. D3MAX offers a fully-integrated technology that can be used in 190 dry mill ethanol plants in the US and Canada,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
D3MAX’ technology increases the amount of cellulosic ethanol produced from wet cake by as much as 10 percent in comparison to other methods. Overall, its technology increases an ethanol plant’s production by 7 percent (2.9 gallons of ethanol per bushel to 3.1 gallons of ethanol per bushel) with no increase in corn grind.
“D3MAX is excited to become a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. D3MAX is looking to partner with the association’s members and help corn dry mill ethanol facilities produce higher yields from corn fiber at lower costs,” said Mark Yancey, CTO at D3MAX.
With the D3MAX process, pretreatment is run at high solids loading with very low temperature and pressure in the pretreatment reactor because the fiber in the wet cake has been cooked in an ethanol plant.
This, Yancey said, significantly reduces the capital and operating costs for the D3MAX process.
Picture Caption: Pre-treated wet cake produced at a D3MAX pilot plant
He said converting the fiber and residual starch in wet cake reduces the volume of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) by 25 percent but increases the protein concentration in DDGS to over 45 percent and reduces dryer energy use by 20 percent.
“This low fiber, high protein DDGS is suitable for feed for monogastric animals including swine and poultry, in addition to use as a feed for cattle and dairy cows,” Yancey said, adding the process also increases corn oil for recovery from 1 lbs a bushel to 1.5 lbs a bushel.
ACE Ethanol in Stanley, Wis. will be the first ethanol plant to integrate D3MAX’ technology on a commercial scale with construction scheduled to begin in September.
“The projected payback to an ethanol plant that installs the D3MAX process is about one year or less,” Yancey said.
Picture caption: D3MAX pilot system installed at ACE Ethanol in Stanley, Wis.
Picture Caption: D3MAX pilot system installed at ACE Ethanol in Stanley, Wis.
Learn more about D3MAX here.
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Minneapolis, Aug 14 – Twenty children from Farm Camp Minnesota visited the Guardian Energy ethanol plant in Janesville yesterday to learn about renewable energy production.
Farm Camp Minnesota is an annual one day event held in three different areas of the state that offers children in grades three to six a fun and interactive connection to agriculture and their food.
“We were pleased to welcome Farm Camp Minnesota participants again this summer. Our employees enjoyed engaging with the campers and educating them on ethanol, which is a Minnesota-grown renewable fuel that increases our energy independence, reduces harmful greenhouse gases and supports farmers,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The children, who were accompanied by nine chaperones, toured the 140-million-gallon-a-year facility for 45 minutes where they learned about incoming grain handling, grain storage, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation and production storage and product shipment.
This is the second consecutive year Farm Camp Minnesota, which is a collaboration between farmers and agribusinesses, has toured Guardian Energy. The first tour was on Aug 7, 2017.
“This is the second year we’ve teamed up with Farm Camp Minnesota. We regularly bring students of all ages to tour ethanol plants to learn how ethanol is produced and its benefits to all of Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels).
The visit to Guardian Energy, organized by MN Biofuels, was part of Farm Camp Minnesota’s event at Farm America in Waseca today. Guardian Energy is a member of MN Biofuels and the largest ethanol producer in Minnesota.
“Our campers learned a lot at last year’s tour and we were pleased to work again with MN Biofuels to offer this informative and rewarding experience to our campers,” said Kathy Guse, director of Farm Camp Minnesota.
Minneapolis, Aug 24 – Lakeville-based Nucleus Ag & Bio-Products (NABP) has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) as a vendor member.
“We are pleased to welcome NABP to our growing roster of members. NABP’s Vertex DDGS Enhancer offers ethanol producers a product that is designed to encapsulate DDGS fiber and absorb excess moisture,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
NABP founder Todd Seaton said Vertex, which is an anti-caking agent, was created to alleviate a problem many ethanol producers face – hard DDGS.
“In 2015, NABP started with a unique product and service to help our friends at a few ethanol plants with their DDGS. Many plants have hard DDGS piles in storage barns, silos and rail cars,” he said, adding the company currently works with ethanol producers in the United States and Canada.
By using Vertex, Seaton said ethanol producers are able to load more DDGS into each rail car thus maximizing fill time and weight of each car.
He said Vertex absorbs the excessive moisture in DDGS to protects it from mold spores while its anti-caking properties prevent bridging in DDGS while being stored and is safer for front-end loading operations.
Seaton said Vertex has an alkaline PH level and high negative ionic charge that acts as a powerful anti-oxidant.
Besides Vertex, he said NABP also offers ethanol yeast, enzymes, yeast nutrition and antimicrobials. Learn more about NABP here.
Minneapolis, Sept 19 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to mark the end of the summertime restriction on E15 by rewarding drivers who chose E15 at the Winner station on 46th Street.
From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded drivers who chose to fuel up with E15. Among the prizes given included $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo and Renaissance Festival, gift cards to Chili’s and KS95 merchandise.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, was at the station with MN Biofuels’ staff during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“E15 consumption in Minnesota in the first five months of the year broke new records. That momentum, unfortunately, was severely disrupted by the EPA’s archaic restriction on E15 from June 1 to Sept 15.
“Today’s event was an opportunity for us to let drivers of vehicles 2001 and newer know that they can once again use E15 which costs less than regular gas, is better for the environment and is made right here in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Today’s promotion is the first of several MN Biofuels and KS95 will host at gas stations offering E15 in the Twin Cities metro over the coming weeks.
E15 sales in Minnesota this year as at the end of July totaled 36.48 million gallons, nearly double the volume sold for the whole of 2017 (19.05 million gallons).
The number of stations in Minnesota offering E15 has also grown. As of September, there are now over 300 stations in the state that sell E15.
Marshall, Sept 25 – Twenty-two students from Marshall High School toured the ADM Corn Processing ethanol plant today to get a better understanding of renewable fuel production.
The students, who were from the school’s automotive repair and maintenance class, learned of the various processes of ethanol production at the 50 million gallon-a-year facility.
“We’re delighted to welcome these students to our facility where we transform crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world,” said Nick Frank, plant manager. “By getting a first-hand look at our operations, these bright, young minds gain a deeper understanding of how we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses.”
The students, from grades 9 to 12, were briefed on the various components of ethanol production during the tour. They also visited the facility’s fructose plant, mill and feedhouse and maintenance shop.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. ADM Corn Processing and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.
ADM Corn Processing has the only wet mill ethanol plant in Minnesota. Other plants in the state use a dry milling process.
In the wet mill process, corn is separated through soaking and then processed through grinders. In the dry mill process, the corn kernel is grinded and mixed with water and enzymes.
“Today’s tour kicked off our Fall 2018 tour program. These tours are part of our annual grant program that enables students to see how a homegrown ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, saves consumers at the pump and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Michael Braithwaite, agriculture instructor at Marshall High School, accompanied his students during the tour.
He said biofuels are included in the school’s automotive and small engines classes, adding that he often uses videos from the “Fields of Energy” curriculum offered through Minnesota Ag in the Classroom.
“This was a great opportunity for us to get an inside look at a local facility and all the skills that are needed in this field. As the need for renewable energy continues to grow, it will be nice to see what our local community is doing to be on the forefront of this initiative.” Braithwaite said.
Minneapolis, Sept 27 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who chose E15 during an one-hour long promotion at the Holiday on County Road J in White Bear Lake.
From 11:30 to 12:30 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 FM rewarded 25 drivers who chose to fuel up with E15. Among the prizes given were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili’s and Applebee’s and KS95 merchandise.
During the promotion, KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, spoke and educated drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“With the EPA’s summertime restrictions lifted earlier this month, Minnesotans once again have the opportunity to choose a fuel that is cheaper than regular gas, made in Minnesota and better for the environment,” said Tim Rudnicki, MN Biofuels executive director.
Today’s event was the seventh time both MN Biofuels and KS95 have teamed up this year to promote E15 at retail stations in the Twin Cities metro.
The previous six promotions were at the Winner on 46th Street in Minneapolis, Holiday on Old Hudson Road in St Paul, the Winner in Richfield, the Tesoro on Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis, the Holiday on University Avenue in Fridley and the Holiday on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
Minneapolis, Oct 3 – Twenty-eight students from Sleepy Eye High School’s Natural Resources class toured Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton yesterday to get a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.
During the tour, the students were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at the plant as well as potential career opportunities within the ethanol industry.
“We were pleased to welcome Sleepy Eye High School today. The ethanol industry plays an important role in boosting the economy in Minnesota, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making America more energy independent,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The students, from grades 9 to 12, toured the plant’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Highwater Ethanol is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“Tours like these highlight the necessary skills to pursue a career in the ethanol industry. Ethanol produced at Highwater Ethanol creates jobs, decreases harmful carbon emissions and lowers prices at the pump, “said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It produced 59.5 million gallons of ethanol in 2017 and currently has 42 fulltime employees.
Mary Hoffmann, agriculture instructor at Sleep Eye High School, said that ethanol is covered in her class’ Alternative Energy and Renewable vs Non-renewable lesson plans.
“Hearing about the process of making ethanol and seeing it are two completely different things. Experiencing something first-hand is the best way to learn,” said Hoffmann.
Today’s tour was the second time she has brought her students to Highwater. She previously brought her students to tour the plant in November 2016.
“There are also many career opportunities to explore in the ethanol industry which are great to hear about from the employees themselves,” Hoffmann added.
Picture Caption: KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, with a consumer who was rewarded after fueling up with E15 at the Holiday on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
Minneapolis, Oct 4 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM rewarded over 50 drivers who chose E15 (Unleaded Plus) during a two-hour promotion today at the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 FM teamed up at the station to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15.
Among the prizes given included $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili’s and Applebee’s as well as KS95 merchandise.
In addition, E15 was priced 15 cents less per gallon than regular unleaded during the promotion.
“Today’s promotion provided us with an important opportunity to speak to consumers about E15. While there were many consumers who were familiar with E15, there were still a few who were pleasantly surprised that there is a cheaper and cleaner option at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Today’s event was the eighth time MN Biofuels and KS95 have teamed up this year to promote E15 at retail stations in the Twin Cities metro.
The previous seven promotions were at the Holiday on County Road J in White Bear Lake, the Winner on 46th Street in Minneapolis, the Holiday on Old Hudson Road in St Paul, the Winner in Richfield, the Tesoro on Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis, the Holiday on University Avenue in Fridley and the Holiday on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
JANESVILLE, Oct 11 – Students from Minnesota State University, Mankato toured Guardian Energy today to gain a better understanding of renewable energy production.
The students, who were from the university’s Biological Engineering Analysis class, toured the various processes of ethanol production at Guardian Energy, which produces 150 million gallons of ethanol a year.
"We appreciate Minnesota State Mankato bringing their students to our facility to learn more about biofuels and the environmental benefits they provide as a source of fuel. Ethanol produced here in Janesville creates rural jobs opportunities, supports our local farm economy and promotes our collective energy independence," said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). Guardian Energy is a member of MN Biofuels.
“Tours like this are an occasion for students to learn about the pivotal role science and engineering plays in ethanol production and explore potential career prospects,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
The students toured several different components of ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product shipment.
The students were accompanied by the University’s Biotechnology Program director, Gregg Marg.
“Minnesota State Mankato uses the motto ‘Big ideas. Real-world thinking.’ This experience demonstrates how the students’ classroom knowledge translates into real-world impact. Before this visit, students thought a 1-liter bioreactor was large. Now they understand what industrial scale and impact are all about,” Marg said.
Prior to the tour, he said his class had learned the basics about renewable fuel production and industrial scale bioprocesses and that they were interested in learning about the latest process improvements within the industry.
Marg added that following this tour, his class will explore food fermentations, brewing, pharmaceutical production, amino acid production, enzyme production and even the biological treatment of wastewater.