Ethanol Production, Supply Up On Week

U.S. ethanol production rose again last week.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 914,000 barrels a day, up 14,000 on the week, but still 133,000 barrels below a year ago as blending demand concerns persist.

DTN says ethanol margins have improved in some areas with spot prices at their highest level since February.

Ethanol stocks were up for the first time in 11 weeks at 20.620 million barrels, climbing more than 456,000 barrels from the previous week but 2.389 million less than a year ago.

Lion Electric, Boivin Evolution Complete Sales of Zero-Emission Refuse Trucks

The Lion Electric Co. and Boivin Evolution (BEV) have completed the first sales of the Lion8 chassis with fully automated side load bodies to Waste Connections Inc., a provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services in the U.S. and Canada.

The introduction of these electric vehicles into markets in Washington and Florida will represent the first applications of zero-emission trucks with fully electric waste collection bodies and automated arms in North America.

Developed for the electric market, the combination of the Lion8 chassis and the BEV all-electric automated side-loading body offers a cost-effective waste management solution that also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are excited to introduce the Lion-Boivin electric vehicles to our markets and look forward to expanding their application,” says Worthing F. Jackman, president and CEO of Waste Connections.

“This investment in zero-emission vehicles furthers our continuing efforts to reduce our environmental impact and expand our capabilities within the communities we serve,” Jackman adds.

Chevron Partners with Clean Energy to Distribute RNG

Chevron says it is partnering with California natural gas retailer Clean Energy Fuels Corp. on Adopt-a-Port, an initiative that provides truck operators serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with renewable natural gas (RNG).

For its part, Chevron will provide funding for Adopt-a-Port and supply RNG to Clean Energy stations near the ports. Chevron’s funding will allow truck operators to subsidize the cost of buying new RNG-powered trucks. Clean Energy will manage the program, including offering fueling services for qualified truck operators.

“We are excited to be partnering with Clean Energy as we continue to innovate in the renewable, low-carbon fuel space,” says Mike Vomund, vice president of Chevron’s Americas Products.

 

DOE Selects Projects to Accelerate Adoption of Biofuels

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected seven projects – totaling $1.94 million – to conduct research and development to accelerate the adoption of performance-advantaged biofuel blendstocks.

These fuels are derived from renewable feedstocks, and can deliver exceptional efficiency with low emissions. The seven projects will leverage National Laboratory capabilities as part of the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative.

“When you consider how much U.S. households spend on transportation – second only to housing expenses – even a small boost in fuel economy can have an important impact on families’ expenses,” says Daniel R Simmons, assistant secretary for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

NREL issues RFP for CRADA projects to support hydrogen technologies

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has issued a request for proposals for qualified partners to participate in cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) projects with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) national laboratories in support of the DOE’s H2@Scale initiative.

Through this CRADA call, DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) seeks to accelerate the development of hydrogen fueling technologies for medium- and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles, address priority research and development (R&D) barriers to enabling hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines at scale, and increase industrial and stakeholder engagement in H2@Scale through investment and active participation in the associated projects.

H2@Scale is a DOE initiative that supports innovations to produce, store, transport and utilize hydrogen across multiple sectors. The intent of H2@Scale is for hydrogen to enable – rather than compete with – energy pathways across applications and sectors.

Up to $24 million in DOE funding is available for collaborative projects at national laboratories in two priority areas of R&D:

Hydrogen fueling technologies for medium- and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, compressors, dispensers, cryogenic pumps, analysis to inform fueling station design and heavy-duty fueling methods that can inform standards development organizations leading fueling protocol development.
Technical barriers to hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines. Specific R&D priorities include materials compatibility, pipeline compressors, hydrogen combustion in end uses, technologies for separating hydrogen from blends downstream of injection, compatibility of blends with underground reservoirs, and techno-economic and life cycle analysis.

PROPANE COUNCIL INTRODUCES ONLINE RESOURCE DATABASE FOR FLEETS, SERVICE TECHNICIANS

The Propane Education & Research Council created online learning resources with educational information about propane autogas for fleets and service technicians that are starting to return to work after recent shutdowns while navigating through new challenges.

“The pandemic has been a wakeup call and it has many fleets reevaluating their best practices and operational efficiencies, including their fuel choices,” said Steve Whaley, director of autogas business development at PERC. “For fleets that aren’t familiar with propane autogas, these resources are a great place to start to learn how the energy source can help reduce their costs and emissions. For fleets that already operate with propane autogas, these resources will help them smoothly get back to business.”

The pages feature several items with information about owning, maintaining, and operating propane autogas vehicles and the benefits of the fuel – including that propane autogas provides fleets with the most cost-effective solution to reducing harmful emissions.

The fleet-specific page includes information on refueling, emissions studies, customer testimonials, and educational videos. Fleet owners can even use PERC’s cost savings calculator to determine how much propane autogas could save them over time.

The maintenance page includes important information about garaging and maintenance facilities, how propane autogas maintenance compares to other fuels, and converting an existing gasoline vehicle to propane autogas.

U.S. Gain develops dairy RNG project in just 8 months

U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG), announces that after only eight months their digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is now transforming animal waste to clean, low carbon fuel for the transportation market.

“We’re pleased to add this project to our RNG development portfolio and in such a short amount of time,” said Mike Koel, President of U.S. Gain. “As organizations continue the shift from fossil-based products to renewables, the demand for RNG as an alternative fuel and thermal energy continues to climb. We’re excited to be involved in so many dairy-based RNG development projects because of the multitude of benefits brought to rural and urban communities across the nation.”

The anaerobic digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy has been operational since 2011, initially converting waste from the farm’s 4,000 herd of Jersey cows to renewable power. U.S. Gain purchased the farm’s digester in September of 2019 and made the upgrades needed for fuel production. Gas collected at the facility is taken through a complex processing system that results in RNG comprised of 99.5% methane. The facility recently obtained project certification from the California Air Resources Board, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency. Typically, projects like these take 12 to 18 months to bring online. “We are proud to announce its completion much sooner than anticipated,” Koel said.

DOE to Invest in Advancement of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell R&D

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed its intention to invest up to $100 million over five years in two new DOE National Laboratory-led consortia to advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies research and development (R&D). This funding is subject to appropriations.

“Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies have the potential to enable resiliency, energy security and economic growth across multiple sectors,” says Mark W. Menezes, undersecretary of energy.

“Through these ambitious new initiatives, the Trump administration continues its commitment to all-of-the-above energy solutions, providing a wide variety of clean energy options for both power generation and transportation,” he adds.

DOE to Invest in Advancement of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell R&D

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed its intention to invest up to $100 million over five years in two new DOE National Laboratory-led consortia to advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies research and development (R&D). This funding is subject to appropriations.

“Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies have the potential to enable resiliency, energy security and economic growth across multiple sectors,” says Mark W. Menezes, undersecretary of energy.

“Through these ambitious new initiatives, the Trump administration continues its commitment to all-of-the-above energy solutions, providing a wide variety of clean energy options for both power generation and transportation,” he adds.

One consortium will conduct R&D to achieve large-scale, affordable electrolyzers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, and can be powered by various energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear and renewables. This R&D will complement and help support large industry deployment by enabling more durable, efficient and low-cost electrolyzers.

The other consortium will conduct R&D to accelerate the development of fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicle applications, including long-haul trucks. This initiative will set a five-year goal to prove the ability to have a fully competitive heavy-duty fuel cell truck that can meet all of the durability, cost and performance requirements of the trucking industry.