In the News
February 13, 2017
By Timothy Cama
Senate Democrats are investigating the role that President Trump’s adviser Carl Icahn is playing in setting the administration’s ethanol policy.
The Democrats are concerned that Icahn, a prolific investor whose holding company owns more than 80 percent of fuel refiner CVR Energy, is using his advisory role to steer ethanol policies in his favor.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and six of his colleagues wrote to White House counsel Don McGahn Monday, asking for details about what Icahn's interactions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), how he influenced Trump’s decision to pick Scott Pruitt to lead the agency, whether Icahn is recusing himself from some matters and more.
Details that have been reported about Icahn and his role in the administration “suggest a conflict of interest between Mr. Icahn and advice he gave President Trump on the nomination of Mr. Pruitt,” the senators wrote.
“They further suggest he will be actively working to change RFS regulations to benefit CVR. And with a sprawling business empire and potentially unlimited portfolio in the administration to address ‘strangling regulations,’ Mr. Icahn’s role presents an unacceptable risk of further real or potential conflicts of interest absent immediate and thorough steps to address them.”
Trump announced in December that Icahn would be a “special adviser” on regulatory and deregulatory matters and would not be a government employee in any way.
Icahn has been pushing the EPA to tweak the renewable fuel standard in a way that would remove a regulatory “point of obligation” — the responsibility for demonstrating compliance with blending mandates — from fuel refiners and move that obligation to another party in the supply chain.
He wrote last year that the current system is costing CVR hundreds of millions of dollars.
In November, when President Obama was still in the White House, the EPA proposed to formally reject a petition from CVR and other refiners to make the regulatory tweak. But the agency extended the public comment period for that proposal to February, putting the ball in Trump’s court.
At Pruitt’s January confirmation hearing, senators asked him about the ethanol mandate and tried to ascertain whether he would make the obligation change that CVR seeks.
Pruitt largely avoided the question, saying only that he would follow the law, which leaves matters like obligation up to the EPA.
Read the submitted letter here.
Read the original story: Dems Probe Trump Adviser Icahn’s Role in Ethanol Policy
February 14, 2017
U.S. exports of distillers grains (DG) — a high protein co-product of dry mill ethanol production used to feed livestock and poultry — totaled 11.48 million metric tons (MMT) in 2016, down 10 percent from 2015’s record-high but still the second-highest on record, according to a 10-page summary of 2016 ethanol co-product trade data published today by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). DG exports were shipped to 50 countries on five continents last year.
According to the report, an estimated 31 percent of U.S. DG production was exported in 2016, meaning one out of every three tons produced was shipped to foreign markets. China was the leading destination for U.S. DG, followed by Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea. However, U.S. DG exports to China plunged 63 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, as the country implemented anti-dumping and countervailing duties against U.S. product. Meanwhile, shipments to nine of the other top 10 markets experienced growth in 2016. In fact, DG exports to Mexico, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, and Thailand grew by a combined 2.06 MMT in 2016 — equivalent to the annual DG production of 10 average-sized ethanol plants.
“Distillers grains and other co-products have become an enormously important component of the global feed market. This report underscores that our co-products are in high demand in every corner of the world,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “Unfortunately, we saw a slight downturn in total exports in 2016 because of China’s protectionist actions to shut out U.S. distillers grains. Last week, RFA and our partnering organizations sent a letter to President Trump, alerting him to China’s unfair and illegitimate trade barriers, and urging the incoming U.S. Trade Representative to address the issue. We remain concerned with China’s actions and look forward to the administration’s response to ensure free and fair trade between our countries.”
Among other facts from the RFA report:
S. DG exports had a total value of $2.19 billion in 2016, down 27 percent from 2015 and the lowest in four years. DG export prices averaged $191 per MT, down 19 percent from 2015 and the lowest in six years;
While U.S. DG exports to East Asia were down, shipments to other global regions surged. In particular, Southeast Asia and the Middle East experienced dramatic growth;
S. exports of corn gluten feed (CGF) — a co-product from wet mill ethanol — rebounded to a five-year high in 2016. CGF exports were up 43 percent over 2015 levels. Ireland was the top market, receiving 27 percent of total U.S. CGF exports, while Turkey and Israel were other top markets; and
Total exports of corn and corn-based ethanol co-products tallied 73 million metric tons in 2016, the highest on record.
The new report is a companion to RFA’s 2016 ethanol trade summary published last week.
View RFA’s co-product trade summary here.
Read the original story: New RFA Report Shows U.S. Distillers Grains Exports Reached 11.48 Million Metric Tons in 2016
February 9, 2017
By North Dakota State University
Distillers grains could be a source of fertilizer for some crops, according to research at North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center.
Wet distillers grains and condensed distillers solubles (sometimes referred to as “syrup”) are organic byproducts of ethanol production from corn.
Scientists at the Carrington center have been testing whether wet distillers grains and condensed distillers solubles are a viable source of phosphorus for corn and spring wheat crops. They applied those byproducts, as well as triple superphosphate, a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content, at various levels.
Here’s what they found:
Corn yield in 2016 increased by about 4 bushels per acre when phosphorus (P2O5) was applied at the rate of 40 pounds per acre.
Wheat yield increased by 2 bushels per acre when phosphorus was applied at the rate of 40 pounds per acre and by 5 bushels when phosphorus was applied at the rate of 80 pounds per acre.
In 2016, corn yields were significantly higher from applications of wet distillers grains than the other phosphorus sources, but in 2015, condensed distillers solubles produced much higher yields.
Wheat yield also increased significantly with wet distillers grains applications, compared with triple superphosphate, and applications of condensed distillers solubles produced higher yields than triple superphosphate but not as high as wet distillers grains.
“These results indicate that there are nutrient benefits to crops from using distillers grains as sources of crop nutrients,” says Carrington center soil scientist Jasper Teboh, who is involved in this research.
He speculates that nutrients in distillers grains such as sulfur may have enhanced the effect of the wet distillers grains and condensed distillers solubles. The yield gains from the distillers grains also probably are due to enhanced microbial activity. However, the scientists aren’t sure why the yields from the wet distillers grains were better than from the condensed distillers solubles in 2016 but not in 2015.
Teboh also cautions that the use of distillers grains may not be feasible for all producers.
“Preliminary assessment of net returns to farmers suggests that only producers farming within close proximity to ethanol plants are more likely to benefit from using distillers grains as fertilizer sources because of transportation costs,” he says. “As of early 2016, condensed distillers solubles cost much less ($5 per ton) than wet distillers grains ($30 per ton), and cost about $25 for an applicator to haul and apply within 25 miles of an ethanol plant.”
Visit the Carrington Research Extension Center’s website at http://tinyurl.com/DistillersGrainsasP for more information about this research.
Read the original story: NDSU Scientists Study Distillers Grains as Fertilizer
February 8, 2017
By Erin Voegele
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the February edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting U.S. fuel ethanol production will average 1.01 million barrels per day in 2017 and 2018, up from 1 million barrels per day in 2016. In January, the EIA predicted ethanol production would average 1 million barrels per day this year, increasing to 1.02 million barrels per day next year.
On a quarterly basis, fuel ethanol production is expected to average 1.02 million barrels per day during the first three months of this year, falling to 1 million barrels per day in the second quarter, increasing to 1.02 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter and finishing out the final quarter of the year at 1 million barrels per day. In 2018, the EIA currently expects fuel ethanol production to reach 1.03 million barrels per day during the first quarter, falling to 1.02 million barrels per day during the second and third quarters, and falling to 980,000 barrels per day during the fourth quarter.
According to the February STEO, the EIA currently expects U.S. fuel ethanol consumption to average 940,000 barrels per day in 2017 and 2018, maintaining the 2016 consumption level.
U.S. regular gasoline retail prices are expected to fall from an average of $2.35 per gallon in January to an average of $2.27 per gallon in February, before increasing to an average of $2.33 per gallon in March. For the full year 2017, gasoline prices are expected to average $2.39 per gallon, increasing to $2.44 per gallon in 2018.
The EIA’s most recent weekly ethanol production data shows production averaged 1.055 million barrels per day the week ending Feb. 3, down from a record 1.061 million barrels per day set the week ending Jan. 27. The EIA’s most recent monthly import data shows the U.S. imported only 31,000 barrels of ethanol in September, all from Canada. The most recent monthly export data shows the U.S. exported 2.904 million barrels of ethanol in November, with Brazil, Canada, and China as the top destinations.
Read the original story: EIA Revises 2017, 2018 Ethanol Production Forecasts
February 8, 2017
By John Perkins
U.S. ethanol production is holding near record levels.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration says last week’s average was 1.055 million barrels per day, slightly less than the previous week’s all-time high of 1.061 million, but still above an average of a million barrels a week for the 15th week in a row.
Corn supplies are ample and the industry is expecting solid demand, despite uncertainties about Trump Administration policies towards renewable fuels and a slowdown in demand from China, which is trying to support its domestic industry at the expense of U.S. ethanol.
The high rate of production is also pushing stocks higher, with supplies at 22.085 million barrels, over 22 million for the first time since the week ending April 29th, 2016.
Read the original story: Ethanol Production Tops a Million Barrels for 15th Week in a Row
February 7, 2017
By Ann Lewis
After experiencing two months of unprecedented volumes, U.S. ethanol exports pitched downward 20% at the close of 2016, with 98.0 million gallons (mg) shipped out, according to government data released today. Brazil and Canada were the top destinations in December, receiving 42.5 mg (43%) and 27.3 mg (28%) respectively. Peru (6.1 mg), Nigeria (6.0 mg), the Philippines (3.7 mg), and South Korea (3.6 mg) were other leading importers of U.S. ethanol. In calendar year 2016, American ethanol producers exported 1.05 billion gallons—up 25% from 2015 and the second-highest annual total on record. Two-thirds of all shipments were sold to The Big Three—Brazil (26%), Canada (25%) and China (17%)—with remaining quantities dispersed among 75 other countries.
Denatured fuel ethanol exports totaled 34.9 mg in December, down 12% from the prior month and resting lower than recent averages. At 25.2 mg, Canada was once again the leading importer of denatured product with 72% of the market. Brazil increased its purchases to 6.5 mg (19%), as did Peru (3.1 mg), but China bowed out completely. December sales of 54.2 mg in undenatured fuel ethanol fell 31% from the prior month’s record-breaking high as Brazil scaled back to 36.0 mg, although still maintaining its foothold in market share (66%). The Philippines (3.7 mg), Peru (3.0 mg) and Nigeria (2.7 mg) were other top spots for undenatured fuel exports.
Sales of undenatured ethanol for non-fuel use returned to hefty levels, up 140% to 3.4 mg, as South Korea (2.7 mg) and Colombia (534,620 gallons) purchased their largest monthly volumes to-date. December sales of 5.5 mg in denatured ethanol for non-fuel use regained 31% over the prior month, shipped primarily to Nigeria (3.3 mg) and Canada (2.0 mg).
December was absent of any fuel ethanol imports—the third month in a row and the fourth time in 2016. As a result, the United States saw an average of less than 3 mg per month enter its borders the entire year, for a total of 33.7 mg and the second lowest level on record. Likewise, net exports have gained a new threshold.
Trade sanctions were likely responsible for much of the late-year deterioration in U.S. DDG export market and reshuffling of top customers. Mexico took over as the new leader in December with 161,165 metric tons (mt), despite an 18% decrease from prior month volumes. South Korea opened its doors to more U.S. DDG (up 27% to 96,573 mt), as did Turkey (up 35% to 93,669 mt) and Thailand (up 5% to 86,706 mt). China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties against U.S. DDGS continued to erode that market, such that less than 60,000 mt entered the country in December. Similarly, Vietnam’s new phytosanitary/fumigation requirements reduced U.S. exports to less than one-tenth the November shipments. For the full calendar year, China did end up as the top market, receiving 2.4 million mt, or 21%, of the 11.48 million total U.S. DDG exports. Mexico was the No. 2 market at 1.9 million mt (17%), while Vietnam (1.2 million mt), South Korea (923,709 mt), and Turkey (789,613 mt) rounded out the top 5. The remaining third of all exports were scooped up by 45 other countries across the globe.
The Renewable Fuels Association released a new statistical report today to provide details on top export destinations, shifts in the marketplace, import volumes, the value of exports, and other key data regarding U.S. ethanol and co-products trade in 2016.
Read the original story: Ethanol and DDGS Exports Cap Off 2016 with Strong December Volumes
February 1, 2017
By Gary Truitt
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 1.061 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 44.56 million gallons daily. That is up 10,000 b/d from the week before and a new record. It is the 14th week in a row with production above 1 million b/d. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at an unprecedented 1.054 million b/d for an annualized rate of 16.16 billion gallonsStocks of ethanol stood at 21.9 million barrels. That is a 0.7% increase from last week.
Imports of ethanol were zero b/d for the 23rd straight week. Gasoline demand for the week averaged 349.0 million gallons (8.310 million barrels) daily. Refiner/blender input of ethanol averaged 837,000 b/d, meaning gasoline delivered to the market contained an average of 10.07% ethanol.
Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 12.77%.
Read the original story: Ethanol Production Continues to Set Records
January 31, 2017
By Edeniq Inc
Edeniq Inc., a leading cellulosic and biorefining technology company, and Archer Daniels Midland Co. recently announced that the U.S. EPA has approved Little Sioux Corn Processors’ registration of its 150 million gallon per year Marcus, Iowa, ethanol plant for cellulosic ethanol production. Under the terms of its license agreements with ADM and Little Sioux, Edeniq uses its Pathway Technology to measure the amount of cellulosic ethanol produced, and provides the required information to register for D3 cellulosic renewable identification numbers (RINs) with the EPA.
Little Sioux is the third plant to receive a cellulosic ethanol registration from the EPA after deploying Edeniq’s Pathway Technology. The plant uses ADM’s Clintozyme enzyme to convert lower value corn fiber, which is typically sold as a feed ingredient, into higher value fuel ethanol through an enzymatic process. Registered plants can access D3 RINS, which are worth over $2.50 per gallon in 2017.
“Our customers are at the forefront of cellulosic biofuel production in the United States,” said Brian Thome, president and CEO of Edeniq. “And thanks to the efforts by the EPA in their approval process, our customers are now receiving registration approvals in a shorter time frame, allowing them to generate value from our technology more quickly.”
“We have been able to demonstrate that ADM’s Clintozyme enzyme can provide improved economics and higher yields for ethanol producers, and we are pleased that Little Sioux is now able to take advantage of this technology,” said Del Cahill, general manager, BioAdvantaged Products at ADM.
Steve Roe, general manager of Little Sioux, stated, “We trialed ADM’s Clintozyme cellulase enzyme to increase our ethanol and corn oil yield. We saw positive overall corn to ethanol conversion rates, increased corn oil yields, lower btu’s per gallon, and decreased fouling of piping and evaporator equipment. When we accessed the Edeniq Pathway Technology through the license, Edeniq put the pieces together to allow us to produce D3 RINs, thereby increasing shareholder value.”
“Our team is adding resources to move plants through commercial validation trials and the EPA registration process as quickly as possible, as the current customer backlog has now grown to more than 15 plants,” said Cam Cast, chief operating officer of Edeniq. “These resources will also help us continue to offer the highest level of support to our existing customers, including Little Sioux. We would like to thank the EPA, Little Sioux and ADM teams for their ongoing partnership.”
Edeniq’s Pathway Technology is the lowest-cost solution for producing and measuring cellulosic ethanol from corn kernel fiber utilizing existing fermenters at corn ethanol plants and has produced up to 2.5 percent cellulosic ethanol, up to a 7 percent increase in overall ethanol yield, and additional corn oil recovery. Edeniq is the leader in developing analytical methods to quantify cellulosic ethanol co-produced with conventional ethanol. Edeniq’s EPA approved validation and turnkey registration process provide a solution for generating D3 RINs and other regulatory credits associated with cellulosic ethanol.
Read the original story: EPA Approves Little Sioux Corn Processors for Cellulosic Ethanol
More...
January 28, 2017
By Nat Williams
A handful of farmers are not just raising the crops that can be used as biofuels. They’re also working on producing the fuel itself.
A Minnesota-based company is in the developmental stage of offering small-scale production of ethanol and other end-products right on the farm. Mark Gaalswyk of Easy Energy Systems describes the process by using a popular toy as an analogy.
“It’s a Lego concept,” Gaalswyk told farmers at the Family Farms group annual winter conference here. “There are different parts of the process. If one part becomes obsolete, you can replace it with another part.”
The company manufactures modules that can be linked to build “micro biorefineries” right on the farm. Feedstocks include corn, grain sorghum, sugar beets and unharvested waste products, such as fruits and vegetables.
“Long term, there is a lot of interest all over the world,” Gaalswyk said.
Jess Daily, who farms in Indiana, is among cooperators working with the company to build a factory on the farm. He is looking at using grain sorghum to manufacture bio-energy as well as n-butanol, a product with numerous uses, including pharmaceuticals, food additives and industrial solvents.
The Daily family is growing sorghum on marginal soils where corn is not a good option. He was sold on the idea after inspecting working models at Easy Energy’s headquarters.
“We got to see the plant and got to see the dedication. We were completely blown away by their ability and engineering skills,” he said. “At the end of the day, these guys know farming. They have an interaction can relate to what you’re doing every day. I told my dad this is a great opportunity.”
Gaalswyk said the Indiana project has promise.
“We’re working very closely with Jess and Daily Farms,” he said. “Once we get all of this to the point of making sense and coming close to starting that first plant, the next family team will come along. We’re working with Iowa State, and we’re looking for other projects, perhaps this year.”
Gaalswyk said the company’s engineers are testing 47 different feedstocks to determine feasibility of manufacturing various end-products. One project involving the manufacture of n-butanol is being tested on the Iowa farm of Harry Stine, founder of Stine Seeds. He said another project is being tested with cooperation of the Koch brothers, billionaire entrepreneurs and owners of Koch Industries.
Easy Energy is also working with Iowa State University on cellulosic technology. The company will soon begin building initial modules that convert feedstocks into sugar water and then into n-butanol.
“There is long-term interest all over the world,” Gaalswyk said.
Not surprisingly, building an ethanol plant — even a small one — is not cheap. It can take an investment of $20 million. But sales manager Tom Gallagher pointed out that a farmer can raise the money by a combination of sources that includes grants and leveraged money.
“If you’re interested, we’ll work with you on a financial plan, Gallagher said, adding that federal grants may be tapped. “Some testing will be required. As soon as the financials and the feedstocks make sense, we’ll help you put a business plan together, if you like.”
Read the original story: Farmers Looking at On-Farm Ethanol Plants
January 23, 2017
By Jesper Hedal Kløverpris
In December 2015, 196 nations made a pact known as the World Climate Agreement, with a goal of, “holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.” A key factor in whether we as a global community are able to meet that goal will be our ability to reduce CO2 and other GHG emissions.
The true cost of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels—coal, oil and natural gas—serve as the world’s primary source of energy. They make up approximately 80% of total energy consumption worldwide, and replacing them with cleaner energy sources is a difficult endeavor to say the least. However, continuing the use of fossil fuels will push us well beyond 2° above pre-industrial levels, which will cause devastating shifts in climates around the world, decimating coastal cities and island nations and causing irreparable harm to the planet’s delicate ecosystems. The U.S. alone emitted 6.87 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2014. If those environmental costs are factored into the price of fossil fuels, they suddenly become much more expensive.
Yet consumers most readily associate the cost of fossil fuels with the prices they pay at the pump; nearly 26% of the U.S.’s 6.87 billion metric tons of CO2 came from the transportation sector. Currently, fossil fuels account for 95% of U.S. transportation sector consumption. The lack of consideration for environmental costs is particularly alarming given that we’re already more than halfway to our 2° limit under the World Climate Agreement, and the fact that completely renewable energy is still years, if not decades, away.
One tool currently at our disposal, however, is bioethanol. Nowadays, ethanol is already replacing gasoline as an additive to the existing fuel mix. But starch-based ethanol additionally produces a low-cost feed ingredient rich in energy, protein, and phosphorus as a co-product. Cellulosic ethanol, which is often co-produced with bioelectricity, biogas and biofertilizers, can be produced alongside starch-based ethanol.
Because of these applications, ethanol is already displacing a lot of gasoline today. In the years to come, though, ethanol could play an even bigger role, working in concert with other technologies to drastically reduce GHG emissions. Those technologies, such as 100% ethanol-fueled vehicles and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, are showing promising perspectives. But we don’t have to just sit back and wait. We can still move the needle today by making better use of available ethanol technologies.
Cutting emissions with starch- and sugar-based ethanol
In the history of transportation fuels, the mass production—and, to an extent, use—of starch- and sugar-based ethanol is quite recent, but these fuels indicate there is hope for a more harmonious future between sustainable energy and the transportation industry.
Corn serves as the primary source of the world’s starch-based ethanol, and it’s no surprise that most of the corn comes from the farmlands of the U.S. Today, the GHG emissions from U.S. corn ethanol are roughly 55.7 kg CO2e/MMBtu or 53 g CO2e/MJ. This includes emissions from so-called indirect land use change (ILUC). Hence, the emission assessment is based on a so-called marginal or consequential approach. Taking a similar approach to gasoline production leads to emissions of 115 g CO2e/MJ. This means that the relative GHG saving in a marginal/consequential perspective for average U.S. ethanol is around 54%.
Brazil, the world’s second largest ethanol producer, derives the fuel from sugarcane. Emissions from sugarcane ethanol are, on average, 51% lower than average gasoline (~60% compared to marginal gasoline). Under the U.S.’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers sugarcane ethanol an Advanced Renewable Fuel because it cuts CO2 emissions by more than 50% compared to average gasoline.
Creating fuel ethanol from plant matter
Producers around the world are also working on other forms of renewable fuel that will provide even higher GHG savings. Also known as cellulosic ethanol, these fuels take plant matter from cellulose and hemicellulose to make a sustainable fuel.
Unlike most starch- and sugar-based ethanol, biomass used to create cellulosic ethanol can be derived from residues and waste. Examples include municipal waste, by-products from agriculture, forestry, and processing industries as well as a number of different grasses. Using these feedstocks, the fuel produced can help to efficiently meet the EPA’s emission reduction goals.
And, innovation in the renewable fuel space is constantly progressing. DONG Energy announced the development of the world’s first full-scale bio plant that will convert unsorted household waste into biogas—a process made possible by enzymes that Novozymes will provide. Biorefineries—facilities that produce fuels, power, heat and value-added chemicals from biomass—are even producing biofertilizers from the same products that are yielding the fuel. Additionally, the bioelectricity from these facilities can help to balance power fluctuations due to wind and solar energy sources.
The future of bioenergy is exciting, to be sure. But our planet’s climate won’t wait indefinitely while we work to find the perfect energy source.
Read the original story: Fuel Ethanol’s Role in the Fight Against Climate Change
October 22, 2016
A couple of months ago, we ran a column on the effects of ethanol in gasoline. We didn’t think it would be terribly controversial, because we reported only what we could confirm from reputable sources (mostly the United States Department of Energy). The story sparked reader interest like a match in a pool of spilled gasoline. By the time the comments section quieted down, we’d been accused of shilling for the oil industry, the ethanol industry, the left wing, the right wing, and everything in between.
To address the valid questions and concerns raised by our readers, we’re wading back into the ethanol discussion.
For this article, Digital Trends spoke in-depth with Dr. Andrew Randolph, Technical Director for ECR Engines. Dr. Randolph holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, with a specialty in the combustion properties of ethanol-gasoline blends. He’s been working with NASCAR since 1999 and started with ECR in 2008.
ECR Engines is a high-performance engine production, research, and development company located on the Richard Childress Racing campus in Welcome, North Carolina. ECR Engines have earned more than 250 victories, including twice at the Daytona 500 and three times at the Brickyard 400. ECR engines have won championships in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. NASCAR races on 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline fuel.
Your lawn mower is not like your car
One of the most common complaints about our last article was that we ignored the effect of ethanol on small engines such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, weed whackers, and the like. Well, this is the Cars section of Digital Trends, not Home & Garden — but we’ll roll with it. We asked Dr. Randolph why ethanol can have such different effects on small engines.
“There is a difference between cars and lawn mowers, weed whackers, chainsaws, and things like that,” he tells Digital Trends. “Cars have a sensor in the exhaust which always optimizes the relationship of gasoline to air such that you have a perfect mixture regardless of what kind of gasoline you use.”
An Oxygen or O2 sensor communicates with a modern car’s engine control unit computer, telling it how to adjust the fuel-air mixture to stay in balance. In contrast, a small engine uses the simplest carburetor possible, with a fixed air-fuel mixture.
“When you add ethanol to gasoline, the ethanol has oxygen in it, so it changes the optimum ratio of the amount of fuel to the amount of air,” Randolph says. “You have some of the oxygen constituents in the fuel itself. A car will adjust for that automatically but lawn mowers are not able to adjust the ratio of fuel to air based on ethanol in the fuel.”
One problem is that the small engine manufacturers typically design and certify their engines to run on pure gasoline without any ethanol content. But about 97 percent of the gasoline sold at public service stations in America contains 10 percent ethanol.
“If they were to certify all these [engines] using E10 as the certification fuel, then the jetting and the carburetors on those devices would be set up to work optimally with E10,” Randolph explains. “And then you wouldn’t have any problem with those devices either.”
As a final note on small engines, Randolph warns against using E85 fuel, but states that conventional E10 should not be a problem in most cases.
“If someone thinks they had a problem in their chainsaw or their lawn mower because they’re using E10, they very likely would have had those problems anyway,” Randolph says. “When you start getting into higher concentrations like E85, if you tried to put that into your lawn mower or your weed whacker, then you will start having problems because that’s outside of the range in which the device is intended to operate.”
January 26, 2017
By Rachel Gantz
The industry experienced record demand for ethanol in 2016 and we expect that to continue into 2017. We expect ethanol demand to be driven by a host of factors, both domestically and abroad.
Thanks to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fully implementing the 2017 conventional biofuel renewable volume obligations (RVO) at its statutory 15 billion gallon level, domestic demand will continue to escalate and US refiners and blenders will increase their use of ethanol in blends like E15 and flex fuels like E30 and E85.
Obviously, this is good news for consumers, as more ethanol in the US fuel mix will further help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost octane, lower our dependence on foreign oil and lower prices at the pump.
We also expect US ethanol exports to continue to grow.
Some of the largest markets in 2016 were China, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and India, and with more countries around the world recognising the numerous benefits of ethanol, we expect US ethanol exports to expand further.
On the road with E15
We think octane will continue to be a big trend in 2017, as the global fuel market is short on octane and new automobiles are increasingly requiring or recommending the use of higher octane fuels.
We think automakers will embrace higher-octane petrol as a means of helping to meet more stringent fuel economy standards in the future. With a 113 octane rating, ethanol is the cleanest and lowest-cost high-octane fuel component in the marketplace.
We also think a major trend in 2017 will be more rapid adoption of E15. We saw great progress with E15 in 2016, as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant programme and an industry funded.
Prime the Pump effort helped fund infrastructure development. Now that hundreds of new stations have put in the pumps to dispense E15, we expect to start seeing E15 sales volumes take off.
With a new administration taking the helm and a new Congress, the ethanol industry will be intensifying its efforts to educate and inform policymakers about the many benefits of ethanol and the RFS. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation out there and a number of biofuel opponents are ramping up efforts to attack the RFS and our industry.
We can’t let them succeed and we can’t let them define who we are and what we do as an industry. It will be more important than ever in 2017 for everyone in our industry to work together to ensure our new leaders have a proper understanding of the enormous contributions we make to the nation’s economy, energy security and environment.
Stimulating meaningful dialogue
The industry’s biggest challenge is to continue to grow demand for ethanol in the face of more stringent fuel economy standards in the face of flagging public support for low-carbon programmes and unrelenting attacks from the oil industry. The industry will need to invest in new technology and more infrastructure to encourage higher level ethanol blends.
Thanks to USDA’s Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership funding and the industry-funded Prime the Pump programmes, retailers are expanding their offerings of E15 and other higher level blends, but a stable and strong RFS is needed to help meet growing demand for the biofuel. We also need to stimulate a meaningful dialogue with the auto industry about vehicle technology and higher octane fuels. Finally, the industry’s efforts to expand exports must continue.
The RFA will continue to lead the way when it comes to growing our industry.
What can you expect from us in 2017? A lot. We will ensure that a strong RFS is maintained, lead safety seminars on the proper handling of the fuel, issue world-class analysis on regulations that affect our industry, promote high octane fuels, boost expansion of retail infrastructure to allow more higher level ethanol blends, ensure the growth of second-generation biofuels and grow US ethanol exports.
The RFA remains committed to growing our industry through multiple avenues and we look forward to a thriving industry in years to come.
Read the original story: Outlook 2017: Rapid Adoption of E15
January 25, 2017
By Cindy Zimmerman
As soon as he took office, President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on regulations that were promulgated by the federal government before he took office, including the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) requirements for this year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which were announced in late November.
In a statement, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen said the action by the president is routine and will only delay the rule. “This postponement of the effective date for the 2017 RVO rule is simply procedural,” said Dinneen. “It is not expected to affect implementation, enforcement, or compliance with the RFS.”
The RVO rule is one of 30 published by the Environmental Protection Agency between October 28, 2016 and January 17, 2017 that are affected by the president’s order. According to the federal register, the delayed order will be implemented on March 21.
Read the original story: No Impact on RFS Expected from Regulation Freeze
January 21, 2017
By Don Davis and Maureen McMullen
ST. PAUL — Minnesota's plant-based fuel industries of ethanol and biodiesel are success stories, but their future depends on the new Trump administration.
"We are a little nervous," Assistant Commissioner Andrea Vaubel of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said, not knowing the future U.S. agriculture secretary's biofuels attitude.
Vaubel has reason to be nervous. Leading up to Trump's Friday inauguration, based on reporting from national media with access to his inner circle.
Minnesota officials say they know little about former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, whom Trump nominated as U.S. secretary of agriculture, about his stance on ethanol.
Two other Cabinet nominees who would be involved in biofuel decisions have anti-biofuel histories.
The questions come at a time when the Minnesota biofuels industry is mature and doing well.
Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Biofuels Association, described biofuel as "apolitical."
"It’s about people, the environment and the economy and really about wins for everybody," he said.
The biofuel industry pumps $6 billion into the state economy annually.
The state was the first to require that all gasoline include 10 percent corn-based ethanol, helping spur the construction of 20 ethanol plants, providing corn farmers a lucrative new market. More than a billion gallons of ethanol come out of the plants each year.
Minnesota has the country's most pumps for E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that can be used in "flex fuel" capable vehicles.
Minnesota legislators voted to require 2 percent biodiesel — made from soybeans, animal fat, used cooking oil and other oil products — in most diesel sold in Minnesota in 2002. That rose to 5 percent four years later and 10 percent in 2012.
Three state commissioners must decide later this year if 20 percent biodiesel will be required May 1, 2018.
Chairman Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, of the state House Agriculture Policy Committee said that early problems with biodiesel gelling and causing other problems, mostly in cold weather, largely have disappeared.
"We did go through some growing pains," Anderson said, adding that "I have not heard many complaints the last few years."
As to ethanol, Anderson said, one of the major factors people should know is "has helped clean up the air. We sometimes forget that."
A 2015 study from the University of Illinois in Chicago determined the use of E15, a gasoline mixture with 15 percent ethanol, would eliminate 385,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. This, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculations, would have the same result of eliminating more than 75,000 passenger vehicles from Minnesota's roads.
Most biofuel programs operate at the mercy of the federal government
In many cases, federal agencies must approve higher biofuel use. In other situations, the state uses federal money to help support biofuels.
When Trump campaigned in Iowa, the country's top ethanol producer, he usually delivered the same line: "I love ethanol."
At one Iowa stop, he added: "You’re going to get a really fair shake from me."
However, he provided few details and his inner circle raises questions about what his intentions are with ethanol.
"Billionaire Carl Icahn, a special adviser to Donald Trump and a skeptic of the U.S. ethanol mandate, said there are others on the president-elect’s team who have even deeper criticisms of the program," Bloomberg News reported in late December.
Many of Trump's top advisors, including Icahn, are involved in petroleum production, and may see biofuels as competition.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is Trump's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, key to deciding the percentage of biofuel that goes into fuel. He is described as an ethanol opponent, but some Midwesterners have been assured Trump told him to back ethanol.
A December survey of 3,000 Midwestern Trump voters found that 88 percent believe ethanol is important to create American jobs, and 85 percent believe it is important for U.S. energy security.
Read the original story: Successful Minnesota Biofuels Industry Awaits Trump
January 19, 2017
By Erin Voegele
The U.S. ethanol industry has broken production records for three consecutive weeks. Production reached at new record the week ending Jan. 13, with production averaging 1.054 barrels per day, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The previous record, set the week ending Jan. 6, was at 1.049 million barrels per day. That record replaced the one set the week ending Dec. 30, when production reached 1.043 million barrels per day.
The U.S. ethanol repeatedly broke records for ethanol production last year. Prior to Dec. 30, the record was set the week ending Dec. 9, when production averaged 1.04 million barrels per day.
The U.S. ethanol industry has surpassed the 1 million barrel per day mark only 26 times, all since November 2015. Prior to November 2015, the ethanol production record sat at 994,000 barrels per day, which was set the week of June 19, 2015.
Read the original story: US Ethanol Production Breaks Record for Third Consecutive Week
January 16, 2017
Exports of U.S. ethanol are off to a strong start for the first quarter of the 2016-17 marketing year and are at their highest levels during that time frame over the past five years, according to data recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).
Exports totaled 353.2 million gal. for the months of September, October and November 2016, the first quarter of the 2016-17 marketing year.
Brazil, Canada and China were the top three customers for U.S. ethanol, respectively. India, Peru, South Korea and Mexico were the next largest markets for U.S. ethanol exports, totaling 62.4 million gal. over the same time period. According to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), these top seven markets accounted for 88% of U.S. ethanol exports in the first quarter. As such, USGC said it, as well as industry partners, are currently or will be working these countries to further develop demand for U.S. ethanol.
Exports of U.S. ethanol to Brazil increased substantially to 111.6 million gal. in the first three months of the current marketing year, representing nearly a third of total U.S. ethanol exports -- the second highest volume of U.S. ethanol exports to that country over the last decade.
“Enforceable government ethanol mandates are driving the increases in Brazilian imports of U.S. ethanol, as Brazilian sugarcane has been diverted to sugar production to capture a price premium,” USGC noted. “To enforce its mandates, Brazil ramped up imports of price-competitive U.S. ethanol, highlighting the important role of trade in meeting ethanol mandates globally.”
U.S. ethanol exports to Canada totaled 87.8 million gal. during the first quarter of the 2016-17 marketing year. USGC said this is the highest level of U.S. ethanol imports by Canada during this time frame, with a 26% increase in imports over the first quarter of marketing year 2015-16.
USGC said it will continue working to increase ethanol demand. In fact, the council and its partners in global ethanol market development -- Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Assn. and USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service -- recently conducted technical workshops in Asia and Latin America describing the positive environmental and public health benefits of increased ethanol use. USGC also uses trade missions to target countries, trade teams bringing stakeholders to the U.S. and industry working groups to support the development of the global ethanol market.
Read the original story: U.S. Ethanol Exports up 85% During First Quarter