The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) recently announced that an expansion of ongoing research into the feasibility of transporting ethanol blends up to E20 through existing pipelines.
The thing that strikes me about this is that it now seems that all the statements we have heard back in the past about ethanol not being compatible with existing pipelines were made before any testing was done. In the press release it says that initial results are expected in 12-18 months and at that time we may learn that the whole pipeline issue has been just another bit of misinformation levied against ethanol.
Oil Pipeline Industry Expands Ethanol R&D
November 29, 2007
November 26, 2007
Where to Buy E85 and Biodiesel
Probably one of the most common questions surrounding biofuels is where can they be bought. Here are some sites that list locations.
E85
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
NearE85
Biodiesel
National Biodiesel Board
NearBio
E10 - There are no national sites that I know of that lists locations where E10 can be found. To find E10 in your area may require some searching. Here are a few that I know of.
East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition Alternative Fuels Locator
Florida's Alternative and Renewable Fuel Station Locator
Kansas E10 Locations
Kentucky Ethanol Loactions
Montana Ethanol Locations
E85
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
NearE85
Biodiesel
National Biodiesel Board
NearBio
E10 - There are no national sites that I know of that lists locations where E10 can be found. To find E10 in your area may require some searching. Here are a few that I know of.
East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition Alternative Fuels Locator
Florida's Alternative and Renewable Fuel Station Locator
Kansas E10 Locations
Kentucky Ethanol Loactions
Montana Ethanol Locations
Koenigsegg to Produce E85 Supercar
Koenigsegg is set to produce it's most powerful car to date, the CCXR. The CCXR will be powered by a twin supercharged 4.7L putting out 1,018 hp on E85. Just for reference that is 210 hp greater than the same engine in the CCX designed to run on 91 octane gasoline.
While this isn't exactly a car for the masses, it does show pretty well the performance potential a car designed for E85 can have.
Koenigsegg CCXR Specifications
While this isn't exactly a car for the masses, it does show pretty well the performance potential a car designed for E85 can have.
Koenigsegg CCXR Specifications
November 25, 2007
French fry oil to be tested on Guantanamo fleet
The Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba is home to about 4000 people and produces about 1500 gallons per month of used cooking oil. Now instead of sending that oil to the landfill the Navy is starting to convert it to biodiesel to help offset some of their fuel needs.
French fry oil to be tested on Guantanamo fleet
French fry oil to be tested on Guantanamo fleet
November 24, 2007
Alternative Fueled Alternative Fuel Plants
So much is being said about the use of fossil fuels in the production of ethanol that I thought it would be interesting to look at some plants that are using alternative energy sources for their production process.
POET - Chancellor, SD
This plant is undergoing an expansion that will allow it to make 100 million gallons of ethanol per year. As part of the expansion a solid waste boiler is being installed that will allow POET to provide about 60% of the energy needs for the plant from the burning of wood wastes from a local pallet company.
POET also announced that it has reached an agreement with the City of Sioux Falls to purchase landfill gas (methane) from the Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill. Initially the landfill gas will displace 10% of the plants natural gas needs rising to 30% in 2025 as the volume of gas the landfill creates increases.
POET - Scotland, SD
Scotland is the site of POET's 9 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol research plant. The plant is now run on biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of the waste stream left over after cellulosic ethanol has been produced.
Calgren Renewable Fuels - Pixley, CA
52 million gallon per year ethanol plant that uses waste heat from a cogeneration plant at the site to reduce natural gas use by 20 percent and the addition of biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of cow manure will cut natural gas usage overall another eight percent in the production process.
Blue Flint Ethanol - Underwood, ND
This plant is located next to a coal fired electric producing plant and uses waste heat from that plant to produce 50 million gallons per year of ethanol.
Siouxland Ethanol - Jackson, NE
50 million gallon per year ethanol plant uses methane recovered from a nearby landfill to offset about 10% of it's natural gas requirements.
Corn Plus Cooperative - Winnebago, MN
44 million gallon per year ethanol plant that burns biomass to reduce it's natural gas needs by about 50%. This plant has also installed two electric producing wind turbines that produce about 45% of the plants electrical needs.
Central Minnesota Ethanol Co-op - Little Falls, MN
21.5 million gallon per year plant that uses a biomass gasification system to replace all of it's natural gas needs and also provides about 33% of it's electric needs (through the use of cogeneration). The system uses wood wastes from local industries for fuel.
Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company - Benson, MN
33 million gallon ethanol that is installing a biomass gasification system that will eventually replace about 90% of the plants natural gas needs. The first phase of the process is expected to be completed in early 2008 and will replace about 20% of the plants natural gas needs. The entire project is divided into 3 phases and will take about 3 years to complete.
Abengoa Bioenergy - Colwich, KS
25 million gallon ethanol plant that uses landfill gas from the Brooks Landfill to offset some of it's natural gas needs. Annual natural gas savings are estimated at $1.4 million per year.
Mid-Missouri Ethanol - Malta Bend, MO
40 million gallon per year ethanol plant that is using landfill gas from nearby Shawnee landfill to offset more than 90% of it's natural gas needs.
E3 Biofuels - Meade, NE
24 million gallon per year ethanol plant that uses an anaerobic digester to convert cow manure to methane to power the plant.
E3 had initial problems that limited their production output to about half. The company claims poor construction and has sued the contractor. This lead to E3 filing for bankruptcy and has not resumed production.
Renova Energy - Heyburn, ID
20 Million gallon per year ethanol plant that is using an anaerobic digester to produce methane to displace all of it's natural gas needs and a some of it's electricity. The digester will be fed the thin stillage from the ethanol making process and whey wastes from a nearby cheese plant.
Renova ran into cost overruns on this project and has filed for bankruptcy. The plant is yet to be completed.
Panda Ethanol - Hereford, TX
105 million gallon per year ethanol plant currently under construction. It will use gasified cow manure to provide energy for the production process.
In 2009 Panda ran into cost overruns and the Hereford facility files for bankruptcy. The plant has yet to be finished.
POET - Chancellor, SD
This plant is undergoing an expansion that will allow it to make 100 million gallons of ethanol per year. As part of the expansion a solid waste boiler is being installed that will allow POET to provide about 60% of the energy needs for the plant from the burning of wood wastes from a local pallet company.
POET also announced that it has reached an agreement with the City of Sioux Falls to purchase landfill gas (methane) from the Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill. Initially the landfill gas will displace 10% of the plants natural gas needs rising to 30% in 2025 as the volume of gas the landfill creates increases.
POET - Scotland, SD
Scotland is the site of POET's 9 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol research plant. The plant is now run on biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of the waste stream left over after cellulosic ethanol has been produced.
Calgren Renewable Fuels - Pixley, CA
52 million gallon per year ethanol plant that uses waste heat from a cogeneration plant at the site to reduce natural gas use by 20 percent and the addition of biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of cow manure will cut natural gas usage overall another eight percent in the production process.
Blue Flint Ethanol - Underwood, ND
This plant is located next to a coal fired electric producing plant and uses waste heat from that plant to produce 50 million gallons per year of ethanol.
Siouxland Ethanol - Jackson, NE
50 million gallon per year ethanol plant uses methane recovered from a nearby landfill to offset about 10% of it's natural gas requirements.
Corn Plus Cooperative - Winnebago, MN
44 million gallon per year ethanol plant that burns biomass to reduce it's natural gas needs by about 50%. This plant has also installed two electric producing wind turbines that produce about 45% of the plants electrical needs.
Central Minnesota Ethanol Co-op - Little Falls, MN
21.5 million gallon per year plant that uses a biomass gasification system to replace all of it's natural gas needs and also provides about 33% of it's electric needs (through the use of cogeneration). The system uses wood wastes from local industries for fuel.
Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company - Benson, MN
33 million gallon ethanol that is installing a biomass gasification system that will eventually replace about 90% of the plants natural gas needs. The first phase of the process is expected to be completed in early 2008 and will replace about 20% of the plants natural gas needs. The entire project is divided into 3 phases and will take about 3 years to complete.
Abengoa Bioenergy - Colwich, KS
25 million gallon ethanol plant that uses landfill gas from the Brooks Landfill to offset some of it's natural gas needs. Annual natural gas savings are estimated at $1.4 million per year.
Mid-Missouri Ethanol - Malta Bend, MO
40 million gallon per year ethanol plant that is using landfill gas from nearby Shawnee landfill to offset more than 90% of it's natural gas needs.
E3 Biofuels - Meade, NE
24 million gallon per year ethanol plant that uses an anaerobic digester to convert cow manure to methane to power the plant.
E3 had initial problems that limited their production output to about half. The company claims poor construction and has sued the contractor. This lead to E3 filing for bankruptcy and has not resumed production.
Renova Energy - Heyburn, ID
20 Million gallon per year ethanol plant that is using an anaerobic digester to produce methane to displace all of it's natural gas needs and a some of it's electricity. The digester will be fed the thin stillage from the ethanol making process and whey wastes from a nearby cheese plant.
Renova ran into cost overruns on this project and has filed for bankruptcy. The plant is yet to be completed.
Panda Ethanol - Hereford, TX
105 million gallon per year ethanol plant currently under construction. It will use gasified cow manure to provide energy for the production process.
In 2009 Panda ran into cost overruns and the Hereford facility files for bankruptcy. The plant has yet to be finished.
November 23, 2007
Where did all our money go?
In 2006 we imported 10,118,000 barrels of oil per day. At current prices, that means that we are spending right at a billion dollars per day on imported oil.
Think about that for a minute. A billion dollars leaves our borders every day.
Now I know that the United States is a wealthy country, but how long can we afford to maintain our lifestyle when we are sending such large chucks of money to other countries? Unless we do something to change things we may all wake up one day in the future and ask where did all our money go.
What can we do to change things? Buy American, support renewable home grown energy source such as ethanol and biodiesel.
EIA: U.S. Imports of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products
Think about that for a minute. A billion dollars leaves our borders every day.
Now I know that the United States is a wealthy country, but how long can we afford to maintain our lifestyle when we are sending such large chucks of money to other countries? Unless we do something to change things we may all wake up one day in the future and ask where did all our money go.
What can we do to change things? Buy American, support renewable home grown energy source such as ethanol and biodiesel.
EIA: U.S. Imports of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products
Brewers Increase Prices
In an article published in The News-Herald titled "Brewers Increase Prices" claims that beer prices are going up because farmers decreased hops acreage in favor of other crops, like corn for ethanol. They also suggest that the same thing has happened with barley.
Well, just how true are these claims?
Hops
Area Harvested 2006 29,400 acres, 2007 31,000 acres.
Production 2006 57,671,800 pounds, 2007 60,570,700 pounds
Barley
Area Harvested 2006 2,951,000 acres, 2007 3,508,000 acres
Production 2006 180,165,000 bushels, 2007 211,825 bushels
All these numbers are published by the USDA and can be found in their November Report
Well, just how true are these claims?
Hops
Area Harvested 2006 29,400 acres, 2007 31,000 acres.
Production 2006 57,671,800 pounds, 2007 60,570,700 pounds
Barley
Area Harvested 2006 2,951,000 acres, 2007 3,508,000 acres
Production 2006 180,165,000 bushels, 2007 211,825 bushels
All these numbers are published by the USDA and can be found in their November Report
November 21, 2007
A Closer Look at Ethanol and Pipelines.
The old argument goes that ethanol can't be sent through our existing pipeline infrastructure, so it must be shipped via rail or truck which burns more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases.
On the surface this sounds like a good old fashioned common sense issue, but is it really?
Of course what is implied in this argument is that gasoline is a better choice because of it's ability to shipped through the pipelines. Most people assume that all gasoline and other petroleum products are shipped through pipelines to terminals and only have to be trucked that last little bit to the gas station. But according to the American Petroleum Institute, pipelines carry about 68% of the petroleum and petroleum products moved domestically. About 27% of the remainder is moved by water and about 5% by truck or rail.
Just to put these numbers in perspective, we use about 140 billion gallons of gasoline per year, so that would mean that almost 45 billion gallons had to be shipped by means other than the pipelines. Compared to only 5 billion gallons of ethanol being shipped last year. Which do you think requires more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases, shipping 45 billion gallons of gasoline or 5 billion gallons of ethanol?
The argument also fails to take into account that ethanol plants are smaller, less expensive, and easier to construct than oil refineries. That means that if a particular area needs more ethanol, new plants can be built in that area to service that need. Doing so cuts down greatly on transportation needs and negates the need for pipelines.
On the surface this sounds like a good old fashioned common sense issue, but is it really?
Of course what is implied in this argument is that gasoline is a better choice because of it's ability to shipped through the pipelines. Most people assume that all gasoline and other petroleum products are shipped through pipelines to terminals and only have to be trucked that last little bit to the gas station. But according to the American Petroleum Institute, pipelines carry about 68% of the petroleum and petroleum products moved domestically. About 27% of the remainder is moved by water and about 5% by truck or rail.
Just to put these numbers in perspective, we use about 140 billion gallons of gasoline per year, so that would mean that almost 45 billion gallons had to be shipped by means other than the pipelines. Compared to only 5 billion gallons of ethanol being shipped last year. Which do you think requires more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases, shipping 45 billion gallons of gasoline or 5 billion gallons of ethanol?
The argument also fails to take into account that ethanol plants are smaller, less expensive, and easier to construct than oil refineries. That means that if a particular area needs more ethanol, new plants can be built in that area to service that need. Doing so cuts down greatly on transportation needs and negates the need for pipelines.
November 13, 2007
GSPI Signs Contract to Build Algae-to-Biodiesel Facility
November 13, 2007 Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) today announced that it has signed a contract to build a 100-acre Commercial Algae Facility in the Midwest.
Press Release
Press Release
November 11, 2007
Weekly National E85 Price
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) reports the weekly average price per gallon for E85 is $2.29. How does that compare to the cost of regular unleaded in your area?
Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC)
Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC)
November 09, 2007
E85 Stations on the Rise
The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition reports 1378 stations across the country now offering E85. That is up from 1200 station on May 7, 2007.
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
Florida Creates Alternative Fuels Locator Website
The Florida Department of Agriculture has created a website listing the location where E85, E10, and biodiesel can be found in the state.
Florida's Alternative and Renewable Fuel Station Locator
Florida's Alternative and Renewable Fuel Station Locator
November 08, 2007
Resources
Ethanol Energy Balance Studies
Ethanol Economic Benefit Studies
Ethanol Fuel Economy Studies
Food Issues
Cellulosic
Environment
Biodiesel
Misc
Industry Websites
Industry Publications
Plants List
Locators - Ethanol
Locators - Biodiesel
- Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Ethanol - Adam J. Liska, Haishun S. Yang, Virgil R. Bremer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Daniel T. Walters, Galen E. Erickson, and Kenneth G. Cassman January 2009
- Analysis of the Efficiency of the U.S. Ethanol Industry 2007 By May Wu - March 2008
- Impact of Combined Heat and Power on Energy Use and Carbon Emissions in the Dry Mill Ethanol Process November 2007
- Thermodynamics of the Corn-Ethanol Biofuel Cycle By Tad W. Patzek July 2006
- Review of Corn Based Ethanol Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Tiffany Groode June 2006
- Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels By Jason Hill, Erik Nelson, David Tilman, Stephen Polasky, and Douglas Tiffany June 2006
- Ethanol Can Contribute to Energy and Environmental Goals By Alexander E. Farrell, Richard J. Plevin, Brian T. Turner, Andrew D. Jones, Michael O’Hare, Daniel M. Kammen January 2006
- Updated Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Results of Fuel Ethanol By Michael Wang September 2005
- Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower By David Pimentel and Tad W. Patzek March 2005
- Ethanol Fuels: Energy Balance, Economics, and Environmental Impacts are Negative By David Pimentel June 2003
- Fossil Energy Use in the Manufacture of Corn Ethanol By Michael S. Graboski August 2002
- The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update By Hosein Shapouri, James A. Duffield, and Michael Wang. July 2002
- The 2001 Net Energy Balance of Corn-Ethanol By Hosein Shapouri and Andrew McAloon
Ethanol Economic Benefit Studies
- CONTRIBUTION OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY
TO THE ECONOMY OF THE UNITED STATES 2008 - A Welfare Analysis of the U.S. Ethanol Subsidy - November 2008
- Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa January 2008
- The Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the American Economy in 2007
- The Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the American Economy in 2006
- The Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the American Economy in 2005
- The Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the American Economy in 2004
Ethanol Fuel Economy Studies
- Optimal Ethanol Blend-Level Investigation November 2007
- Fuel Economy Study August 2005
Food Issues
- The Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions - Congressional Budget Office April 2009
- Ethanol and Food Prices - Preliminary Assessment - Richard K. Perrin May 2008
- Global Agricultural Supply and Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in Food Commodity Prices - Ronald Trostle May 2008
- The Effect of Ethanol Production on the U.S. National Corn Price - T. Randall Fortenbery and Hwanil Park April 2008
- The Effects of Ethanol on Texas Food and Feed - David P. Anderson, Joe L. Outlaw, Henry L. Bryant, James W. Richardson, David P. Ernstes, J. Marc Raulston, J. Mark Welch, George Knapek, Brian K. Herbst, and Marc Allison April 10, 2008
- What is Driving Food Price Iinflation? Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank March 2008
- Analysis of Potential Causes of Consumer Food Price Inflation November 2007
- Ethanol, Barley and Beer July 2007
- The Relative Impact of Corn and Energy Prices in the Grocery Aisle June 2007
- An Analysis of the Effects of an Expansion in Biofuel Demand on U.S. Agriculture By USDA May 2007
Cellulosic
- Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass November 2007
Environment
- Water Intensity of Transportation - June 2008
- Clearing the Air with Ethanol March 2006
- Effects of Ethanol and Volatility Parameters on Exhaust Emissions By Thomas D. Durbin, J. Wayne Miller, Theodore Younglove, Tao Huai, and Kathalena Cocker January 2006
Note : One of the conclusions of this study was that increasing from E0 to E10 reduced fuel economy by 1.4%. - Air Quality and Ethanol in Gasoline February 2004
Biodiesel
- Effect of Biodiesel Blends on Diesel Particulate Filter Performance October 2006
- Contribution of The Biodiesel Industry to the Economy of the United Sates September 2006
- A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions By EPA October 2002
- A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program—Biodiesel from Algae July 1998
Misc
- Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small Non-Road Engines, Report 1 October 2008
- Use of Mid-Range Ethanol/Gasoline Blends in Unmodified Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks July 1999
Industry Websites
- American Coalition for Ethanol
- Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC)
- National Algae Association
- National Biodiesel Board
- Renewable Fuels Association
Industry Publications
Plants List
Locators - Ethanol
Locators - Biodiesel