DOE awards $35M to 15 projects in ARPA-E ECOSynBio program to reduce carbon footprint of biofuel production
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding $35 million to 15 research projects through ARPA-E’s “Energy and Carbon Optimized Synthesis for the Bioeconomy” (ECOSynBio) program to decarbonize biorefining processes used across the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors.
Many biofuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and other products derived from organic material (biomass), are almost exclusively produced via fermentation. These fermentation processes create carbon as a byproduct, with some processes wasting more than 1/3 of this carbon as CO
2 emissions. As a result, there is a critical need to create new pathways for biofuel conversion that reduces carbon waste, prevents the loss of CO
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The RFS creates competition that lowers fuel prices and reduces carbon emissions. Yet, refiners still complain. … Indeed, at their request, the RFS includes provisions allowing refiners to comply without ever physically blending a drop of biofuel. As an alternative to blending biofuels, refiners can purchase compliance credits RINs from other parties that blended more than their required share of biofuel.
Despite this, the refiners have never liked the RFS because it cracks open the monopolistic fuels market and allows biofuels to compete on a level playing field with the fuels they refine from crude oil, much of which still is imported from places like Saudi Arabia and Russia.
U.S. DDGS Exports Also Higher Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Assoc. American exports of ethanol accelerated in March to 133.0 million gallons (mg), the second-largest volume in a year and up 31% from February’s dip. Exports to China spiked from 4.7 mg to 48.3 mg for the country’s second-largest monthly imports of American ethanol [.]
LS Power Expands Clean Energy Platform through Solar Acquisition
News provided by
Share this article
Share this article
NEW YORK, May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ LS Power today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 25 solar power facilities totaling 467 MWdc (365 MWac) from Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG). Today s announcement underscores LS Power s commitment to scaling a diversified development and operating platform that will drive the decarbonization of our economy, said LS Power CEO Paul Segal. The addition of these solar projects is part of LS Power s expanding effort to enable the evolution of a cleaner power grid.
The solar facilities are being acquired by LS Power affiliate, Quattro Solar, LLC, and the transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Supreme Court justices signaled skepticism of assertions from small oil refineries that they should be allowed to extend lapsed waivers from mandates they use for biofuels.