Dear reader,
“We, the undersigned, note that despite efforts to diversify energy sources, 95% of the total energy needs of the transport sector are still met by fossil fuels”. So begins the Turin Joint Declaration on Sustainable Biofuels, published on 28 April at a major G7 meeting in Turin, which was also attended by ministers from Italy, Brazil and Kenya. You can read the full text at: https://biofutureplatform.org/news/turin-joint-statement-on-sustainable-biofuels/
The G7 Heads of State and Government tasked the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) with tracking and monitoring the Group’s collective contribution to achieving the global tripling target for renewable energy by 2030. The IRENA Outlook 2023 sets out ways to achieve the 1.5°C target by 2050. Whereby efficiency is seen as the main driver of the transition, enabled by renewables, electrification, clean hydrogen and sustainable biomass. I have attached the IRENA report “World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023″.
On 25 April, the UK government confirmed its plans to introduce a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, which stipulates that 22% of all aviation fuel for flights departing from the UK must come from sustainable sources by 2040. https://safmagazine.com/articles/uk-to-implement-saf-mandate-beginning-in-2025
On 29 April, 40 companies and organisations involved in the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel joined forces and announced the founding of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition. https://safmagazine.com/articles/saf-stakeholders-unite-to-form-the-saf-coalition
he US Treasury Department and the IRS issued new guidance on the SAF tax credit on 30 April and announced the launch of the 40BSAF-GREET 2024 model, which includes a pilot programme to promote the use of climate-friendly agricultural practices for SAF commodities. https://safmagazine.com/articles/treasury-announces-updated-saf-tax-credit-guidance-release-of-40saf-greet-20024-model
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) in Washington DC has published a new report analysing the benefits of using renewable diesel (RD) as an alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEV). The report concludes that using battery electric vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions is nearly impossible. https://truckingresearch.org/2024/04/new-atri-research-evaluates-renewable-diesel-as-an-alternative-pathway-to-decarbonization/
Vale and Caterpillar have signed an agreement to test large battery-electric trucks and power transmission systems and to conduct studies on ethanol-fuelled trucks. The aim is to help Vale achieve its targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (direct and indirect) by 33% by 2030 and reduce its net emissions to zero by 2050. The two companies will also conduct a joint study on a dual fuel solution for ethanol and diesel-powered trucks. https://vale.com/w/vale-and-caterpillar-sign-agreement-to-test-battery-electric-trucks-and-conduct-ethanol-studies
Topsoe has signed an agreement with Guangxi Hongkun Biomass to provide its HydroFlex technology to produce SAF at the Company’s plant in the Qinzhou Port Area Free Trade Pilot Zone of Guangxi, China. This agreement is Topsoe’s first SAF project in China. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/05/20240501-topsoe.html
Using thyssenkrupp’s “Pure Oxyfuel” technology, which is used on a large industrial scale, cement is to be produced in a carbon-neutral way, capturing around 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The basic principle of the “Pure Oxyfuel” technology developed by thyssenkrupp is to separate CO2 from the exhaust gases of cement plants in a kiln system and thus prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. To do this, pure oxygen is used in the combustion process instead of ambient air. In this way, almost 100 per cent of CO2 emissions from cement clinker production can be captured. https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/pressdetailpage/starting-signal-for-construction-of-one-of-the-worlds-first-carbon-neutral-cement-plants-thyssenkrupp-supplies-innovative-%2522pure-oxyfuel%2522-technology-enabling-co2-capture-252904
In the UK, Kent has been awarded the FEED (Front End Engineering Design) contract for a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Fulcrum BioEnergy. Fulcrum’s NorthPoint project is designed to convert approximately 600,000 metric tons of pre-processed waste into 100 million liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). https://www.qcintel.com/biofuels/article/kent-awarded-feed-contract-for-fulcrum-s-saf-plant-in-cheshire-24172.html
In South Africa, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), in collaboration with Stellenbosch University (SU), Sappi Southern Africa and Mpact, recently commissioned a demonstration plant in which cellulose-rich waste from paper mills is converted into ethanol using a special fermentation process. https://www.thepaperstory.co.za/
AGR Biogás has started construction of the first biogas plant with biomethane injection in Andalusia, Spain. This milestone marks a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the local community and the environment in general. The project involves an investment of around 25 million euros, with ING Bank NV providing project financing totalling almost 20 million euros. It is the first biomethane project to be financed in this way in Spain. https://gaspathways.com/agr-biogas-starts-construction-of-first-biomethane-plant-in-andalusia-2736
The Spanish National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has adopted a resolution (RDC/DE/004/22) that will simplify the procedures for connecting biomethane producers to the gas grid in a flexible, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. https://www.bioenergy-news.com/news/spain-to-speed-up-grid-connection-process-for-biomethane-plants/
The European Commission is awarding almost €720 million to seven renewable hydrogen projects in Europe selected in the first call for tenders of the European Hydrogen Bank. The funds for this auction come from the revenues of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The winning bidders will produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources in Europe and receive a subsidy to cover the price difference between their production costs and the market price of hydrogen, which is currently set by non-renewable energy producers. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2333
TotalEnergies and Vanguard Renewables, a U.S. specialist in farm-based organics-to-renewable natural gas production and a portfolio company of a fund managed by BlackRock’s Diversified Infrastructure business, have signed an agreement to create an equally owned joint venture to develop, build, and operate Farm Powered renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in the United States. https://totalenergies.com/news/press-releases/totalenergies-and-vanguard-renewables-portfolio-company-blackrocks-diversified
In Belgium, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), Qbic III and Flanders Future Tech Fund (FFTF) have joined forces to provide a significant boost to Ghent-based start-up AmphiStar. The funding round, led by ECBF, raised €6 million. https://www.ecbf.vc/press-release-amphistar
The Japanese Panasonic Corporation has announced that its Electric Works Company will launch a new fuel cell generator with pure hydrogen in Europe, Australia and China in October 2024, which generates electricity through a chemical reaction between high-purity hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. https://news.panasonic.com/global/de/press/en240425-1
In Australia, Boeing and Wagner Sustainable Fuels will collaborate on growing the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry to help meet Australia’s airline demand for jet fuel which is expected to increase by 75% over the next 25 years. https://www.boeing.com.au/news/2024/boeing-wagner-advance-australias-saf-industry
Feedstock suppliers, advanced biofuel producers and low-carbon fuel purchasers representing nine trade associations to propose and set robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2026 by the statutory deadline this November. The letter points out the dramatic decline in the value of RFS credits due to the inappropriately low volumes for 2023 to 2025 set by the EPA last year. The situation has led to the closure of several production facilities and now threatens investment in feedstock processing capacity as well as the production of sustainable aviation fuel. https://cleanfuels.org/nine-trade-associations-ask-epa-to-meet-november-deadline-for-2026-rfs-volumes/
The Indian government will allow sugar mills to use 670,000 tonnes of B-molasses as feedstock for ethanol production in the current year. Indian sugar mills had surplus stocks of B-molasses, a by-product of the sweetener, produced before its use was banned on 7 December last year. https://www.livemint.com/industry/govt-allows-sugar-mills-to-use-existing-stocks-of-b-heavy-molasses-for-ethanol-production-11713954737590.html
Monjasa delivered a total of 510 tonnes of B30 biofuel to the Cargill-operated bulk carrier Infinity Sky at the port of Callao in Peru at the end of February. This was the first ISCC-certified delivery of biofuels on the South American Pacific coast and the beginning of a scalable supply chain for second-generation biofuels. This new and sustainable system was developed in collaboration with Fuel & Marine Oil Corp (FAMOIL) and can supply a total of 12,000-15,000 tonnes per month. https://monjasa.com/news-archive/monjasa-and-famoil-expand-biofuels-logistics-in-south-america-and-complete-first-supply-operation-in-peru/
Scientists at ETH Zurich and a group of researchers have developed bacteria in the laboratory that utilise methanol efficiently. The metabolism of these bacteria can now be tapped into to produce valuable products that are currently manufactured by the chemical industry from fossil fuels, according to ETH Zurich. https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2024/04/bacteria-for-climate-neutral-chemicals-of-the-future.html
A professor at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria has successfully produced biodiesel by using eggshells as a catalyst for transesterification to increase the availability of locally available products for biofuel production. She said the use of eggshells would help increase the economic viability of the domestic poultry industry while reducing waste. She also advocates for the pyrolysis of biomass to create more options for local biofuel production, which in turn would increase employment opportunities for engineers. https://bioenergytimes.com/nigeria-university-of-ilorins-professor-produces-biodiesel-from-eggshells/