Dear Sir or Madam,
the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) has come to an end, representing the decisive step towards a net zero future for Europe. For those who were unable to attend, all sessions of the conference week are available as recordings. https://sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu/eusew-2024-highlights_en
or here: https://sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu/eusew-2024-highlights_en#Day1
Carbon-free super yachting will soon be a thing as MAN Cryo has supplied their liquid-hydrogen fuel system to Feadship’s project 821. Sweden’s Erik Thun took delivery of LNG dual-fuel tanker Thun Vettern, adding to their fleet of high rank Energy Efficiency Design Index vessels. Barcelona-Miami shipping has a dedicated biofuel route thanks to Avolta’s partnership with DB Schenker for UCOME supported book and claim fuel.
U.S. ethanol production remained largely steady last week at 166 million liters per day, down only 14,000 barrels from the previous week.
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, an estimated €3 billion German scheme to support the development of the Hydrogen Core Network (HCN). The measure is intended to contribute to the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the “Fit for 55” package by enabling the development of the hydrogen transportation infrastructure needed to support the use of renewable hydrogen in industry and transport by 2030, the Commission said. Germany had previously informed the Commission of its intention to introduce this scheme to support the construction of the domestic HCN. The HCN will form the backbone of long-distance hydrogen transportation pipelines in Germany and will be part of the European hydrogen backbone connecting several Member States. The aid will be granted in the form of a state guarantee, which will enable the transmission system operators to obtain more favorable loans to cover the initial losses during the start-up phase of the HCN. The first major line is expected to be operational from 2025, while the entire HCN is expected to be completed in 2032.
Oil company Phillips 66 announced the full conversion of the Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex, expanding commercial-scale production and positioning the company as a leader in renewable fuels. The Rodeo facility in the San Francisco Bay Area increased rates to approximately 50,000 BPD (3.2 billion liters per year), meeting the company’s goal of reaching full capacity by the second quarter of 2024. https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2024/Phillips-66-Achieves-Full-Production-Rates-of-Renewable-Fuel/
European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cepsa signed a €285 million loan agreement for the construction of an advanced biofuels plant to be located next to the ¨La Rábida Energy Park¨ in Palos de la Frontera, Andalusia. The plant, which Cepsa is building together with Bio-Oils, will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO), from organic waste such as used cooking oil or from agricultural waste, advancing the circular economy. https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-227-eib-and-cepsa-sign-eur285-million-loan-to-finance-the-construction-of-a-second-generation-biofuels-plant-in-spain
A center of excellence for biofuels is to be set up by IIT Kanpur and NSI Kanpur to advance research and technology in the areas of ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, aviation fuel and green hydrogen production from biomass. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “NSI Kanpur has been working in this field for over 60 years and is well aware of the market dynamics and technology requirements. IIT Kanpur has a thorough understanding of the scientific and technological fundamentals of chemistry and other related fields. The aim is to combine the strengths of both institutions to create a state-of-the-art center to help India become a leader in biofuels.” https://iitk.ac.in/new/establish-a-centre-of-excellence-for-biofuels
BP is looking to expand its biofuel production following the acquisition of its 50/50 joint venture with Bunge in Brazil. Second-generation ethanol, e-fuels, biogas and sustainable jet fuel are likely on the cards as BP Bunge Bioenergia’s 11 ethanol plants across the country are ready for expansion. Most sugar cane refineries in Brazil have expanded sugar rather than ethanol production in recent years, while BP is focusing on fuels instead. https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-to-acquire-full-ownership-of-bp-bunge-bioenergia-while-refocusing-plans-for-new-biofuels-projects.html
World Bio Markets reported that Modern Meadow and Earthletica, an Australian-based activewear brand, have partnered to launch the Bronte Jacket.This lightweight jacket features Bio-Alloy Shield, a breathable and waterproof membrane developed by Modern Meadow. https://worldbiomarketinsights.com/modern-meadow-and-earthletica-create-biobased-jacket-for-olympic-athlete/
Bayer CropScience confirms its trial in Spanish greenhouses of the use of twine and staples made from Novamont’s compostable bioplastic Mater-Bi, which aims to solve the problem of disposal of waste products in agricultural crops. The new compostable items, which have an ISO 14067:2018 certified carbon footprint, helped to simplify the management of crop waste and make it more efficient. This also prevents the unwanted accumulation of non-compostable plastics in the soil. https://www.bayer.com/media/en-us/bayer-to-deliver-ten-blockbusters-in-ten-years/
Air New Zealand received a delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Wellington this week. It is the first delivery to the country’s capital and another small step towards the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. Produced by EcoCeres in China from 100 percent used cooking oil and supplied and blended by Exxon Mobil, the 500,000 liter delivery is equivalent to 165 flights of an A320 aircraft between Auckland and Wellington. https://flightnz0.airnewzealand.co.nz/initiatives/sustainable-aviation-fuel
LanzaJet announced an investment from MUFG, one of the world’s leading financial groups with total assets of approximately $2.9 trillion. The investment will enable LanzaJet to further expand its capabilities and capacity to utilize its proprietary process technology to convert ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). https://www.lanzajet.com/news-insights/mufg
Shipping company Terntank has signed a grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the eMETHANOLxWSolution project, which will demonstrate a combination of foldable suction sails and a dual-fuel engine. The report states that this project will demonstrate a combination of foldable suction sails and a dual-fuel engine on the first ship in the Hybrid Solution Plus series, which is designed to be one of the first coastal tankers in Europe to use e-methanol as the main energy source for its operation. https://terntank.com/2024/06/grant-agreement-emethanolxwsolution-cinea-european-climate-infrastructure-and-environment-executive-agency/
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) approves investment promotion applications for eight major projects totaling USD 1.54 billion, including a bio-ethylene plant project by the local joint venture of Brazilian company Braskem. Braskem, a joint venture with Thailand’s SCG Chemicals PCL, received approval to build a plant to produce up to 200,000 tons/year of bio-ethanol from agricultural products such as sugar cane, cassava and corn. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thailand-boi-approves-investment-worth-usd-1-54-billion-in-biochemicals-data-centers-and-hospital-sets-new-promotion-category-for-the-repair-of-used-ev-batteries-and-ess-302175971.html
Scania (Malaysia) and Shell Malaysia Trading launched the pilot test with the first pair of Scania tankers operated by the Port Dickson Sdn Bhd (KPD) consortium and running exclusively on B100 biodiesel. After several months of testing, the results are now available: – It has been confirmed that carbon emissions are reduced by up to 70 percent. – Suitable for heavy haulage with adjustment of driving behavior. – No problems with the truck if the vehicle is equipped accordingly. – Suitable alternative considering a locally manufactured product. – Positive impact on important parts of the supply chain. https://www.scania.com/my/en/home/about-scania/newsroom/news/2023/shell–kpd-and-scania-driving-the-shift-in-reducing-co2-emission.html
The Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill at first reading to create a register for plants that use only biofuels in order to promote net zero production. The register, which will be managed by the Cabinet of Ministers, is intended to serve as a precursor to the introduction of a special tax rate for net-zero production facilities. Earlier this month, Parliament approved the latest law on biofuel blending at 5% from May 1, 2025. https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3876407-parliament-approves-bill-on-creating-register-of-biofuel-production-units.html
BASF now offers the packaging industry an opportunity to increase the use of renewable raw materials. With the new ecoflex® F Blend C1200 BMB, the fossil raw materials that are usually used in the production process are replaced by renewable raw materials at the beginning of the value chain. The renewable raw material comes from waste and residual biomass and is assigned to the ecoflex® type using a mass balance approach that is certified in accordance with REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS (1). The biomass-balanced ecoflex® not only contributes to reducing the use of fossil resources, but also offers a 60% lower product carbon footprint (PCF) (2) than the standard ecoflex® F Blend C1200. https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2024/06/p-24-212.html
Grupo Potencial will invest USD 34 million in the construction of two 55 km biofuel pipelines in Brazil next year, provided all permits are granted on time. One pipeline will connect the company’s biodiesel plant in Lapa in the state of Parana with fuel distributors. https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/grupo-potencial-build-longest-green-fuel-pipelines-brazil
U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall has written a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Trade Representative complaining about the recent and dramatic increase in imports of used cooking oil from China. It is suspected that large quantities of these imports may be virgin vegetable oil fraudulently labeled as used cooking oil and sent here to take advantage of tax credits and other incentives for renewable biofuels. https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-leads-letter-addressing-concerns-on-used-cooking-oil-imports-from-china/
Empati, a company specializing in data-centric renewable energy technologies and applied artificial intelligence, and TNE, an energy solutions provider, have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to accelerate the production of green energy, including green hydrogen, ammonia and biofuel. More at: https://discovercleantech.com/directory/empati-2/
Producers of sustainable aviation fuel in the European Union cannot increase output fast enough to meet SAF quotas, the CEO of Frankfurt airport operator Fraport said.The SAF quota will increase to 70% by 2050 and start with 2% of total fuel in 2025. Additionally, Kenya Airways has been selected as the sole African airline to lead the International Air Transport Association’s SAF Registry. https://theelectricityhub.com/eu-quota-for-sustainable-jet-fuel-impossible/
The global renewable energy developer, Simply Blue Group, announced that it has acquired a site in Whitegate adjacent to Ireland’s only oil refinery as part of its plans to develop a renewable energy park for the production of sustainable fuels. The land acquisition represents an important stage in Simply Blue Group’s announced strategy to develop a portfolio of clean energy projects in Ireland and other markets, including Canada and Australia, using a wide range of renewable feedstocks and inputs. https://simplybluegroup.com/
Kinetics Technology announces that it has been awarded a USD 527 engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by HOLBORN Europa Refinery to develop a hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) complex within the existing HOLBORN refinery in Hamburg, Germany. Once completed, the plant will produce around 220,000 tons per year of high-quality renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from waste and residues, biomass and agribusiness residues, as well as low-carbon hydrogen. https://www.kt-met.com/en/media/news/two-epc-contracts-worth-usd-527-mn-awarded-lukoil-refining-business
The Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a strategic plan for the country’s energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to bio, synthetic and hydrogen fuels by 2050. As part of the plan, Israel will ensure the reliable supply of fuels to all sectors of the economy, improve emergency preparedness in fuel supply and promote the production and wider use of bio-fuels. Specifically, the plan aims to shut down the huge oil refineries in Haifa Bay and replace the production of petroleum distillates with imports. https://energymea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-gas/israel-announces-ambitious-plan-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-by-2050/111048432