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Philippine biofuels chief says at least 700,000 hecatres of jatropha in view

In the Philippines, PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation chairman Renato S. Velasco said that he expected that at least 700,000 hectares of jatropha would be planted in the country, noting that it had been identified as an ideal cultivation locale by the FAO. He said the bulk of cultivation would be in Mindanao.

Using a yield of 300 gallons per acre, the potential capacity represented by his forecast is 455 million gallons of biodiesel. The Chairman stressed that jatropha would be grown only in currently unused land and that no food production land would be switched to fuel.

The Philippines have a B1 and E5 mandate scheduled to go into effect in 2009, rising to B2 and E10 in 2011. Philippine demand for biofuels is expected to rise to 187 million galls of ethanol and 54 gallons of biodiesel by 2011.

This year,  The Department of Agriculture recently said that as of last August, 38,000 hectares were being developed for biofuels, primarily in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces and Gen. Santos City.

Eight Philippine companies have pledged more than $350 million towards biofuels production investment. The companies include: Bio-Energy NL, Inc.; E-Cane/Pampanga Industrial Park Corp.; Philippine Agricultural Land Development and Mill, Inc (PALM, Inc.); and Zambo Norte Bioenergy; Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corp., Guidance Management Corp., Fuel, Inc. and Eastern Petroleum.

New Britain Palm Oil in $100 million flotation on London Stock Exchange as oil palm cultivation expands

New Britain Palm Oil will be listed on the London Stock Exchange in a US$100 million flotation. The owner of New Britain Palm Oil, Kulim, said that between New Britain and Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil it has more than 30,000 hectares of mature oil palm trees. It also said that its biodiesel plant in Tanjung Langsat in Johor, would be ready for testing by the end of 2007.

In Papua New Guinea, islanders on Woodlark Island are protesting a plan by Vitroplant to clear 70 percent of the island, or 60,000 hectares, to an oil palm plantation.

Acta announces hydrogen project that could result in new transport system in 10 years

Acta stated its belief that a hydrogen fueled transport system is ten years away, not 20 to 30 years. The company made its pronouncement after inking a development project deal with an unnamed Asian carmaker.

Acta produces hydrogen from on-board catalysts that use ammonia or ethanol and can work with the existing fuel infrastructure.

Earlier this week, researchers in England announced a process to convert glycerol to hydrogen gas. The new process is reported to be substantially cheaper than water electrolysis, the most popular production method for hydrogen. In the process, researcher mix glycerol with steam and produce water, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, producing pure hydrogen gas after the carbon is absorbed by special filters.

ExxonMobil, QuestAir Technologies and Ben Gurion University said recently that they had completed initial development on a hydrogen production system for fuel cells that would convert biofuels on-board to hydrogen. Plug Power said that it will join the group to develop the technology for use in lift trucks, and expect to complete this phase of development by 2010. Earlier this month, an ExxonMobil manager said that hydrogen will not play a significant role in transportation looking ahead to 2030 either.

Argus launches price service for palm oil biodiesel in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia

Argus Media, a leading source for energy price information, is launching a price service for palm oil biodiesel in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The service will provide daily FOB price information, as well as trading information including bids and offers for EN14214 (European compliant) biodiesel.

Looming Asian water crisis: wastewater practices, poor planning blamed; biofuels not helping

A report released by the Asian Development Bank outlined a looming crisis in Asian water supply. The report blamed neglect of wastewater management practices for the crisis, and said that the rising popularity of biofuels would make the situation worse unless Asian nations addressed their water usage practices.

A recent International Water Management Institute study found that it will require 26% of India’s water supply to produce enough ethanol to meet a 10 percent mandate. India will need 4,000 liters of water for every liter of ethanol produced — acceptable for water-laden Brazil, but not viable in India given the looming water shortage. 60% of Indian water supply is currently diverted to human use.

There has been great controversy regarding the water usage of ethanol plants. The Crown Prince of Holland was quoted saying it takes as much water to produce ethanol to fill an SUV tank as it takes to grow enough grains to feed one person for a year.
How much water does ethanol consume? Using: the USDA US adult average consumption of grains; an allowance of 449 gallons of water per pound of corn based on irrigation tables; and a usage of 2.19 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol based on a North Dakota plant breaking ground today: we conclude that it takes 37 incremental gallons of water to make enough E85 ethanol to fill an SUV. That’s enough water to sustain the average US adult grain diet for 216 minutes.

First biodiesel station opens in Connecticut

The first biodiesel fuel station has opened in Connecticut. Gov. M. Jodi Rell was on hand for the opening at Berkshire Country Store in West Cornwall. The fuel had previously only been available in Connecticut at private pumps for government and commercial fleets.

Connecticut has been attempting to catch up on biofuels development. Last month, CT Biodiesel presented plans for its 50 Mgy biodiesel plant proposed for Suffield. Many residents appeared opposing the plant for causing local disruption, while supporter said it would become the largest taxpayer in town and would donate $130,00 in fuel each year which be used for town buildings and vehicles.

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has launched a Small Business Incubator Program for biofuels and will offer up to $5 million in grants to biodiesel producers for equipment, storage and distribution. The incentives will include 30 cents a gallon for the first 5 million gallons produced, 20 cents a gallon for the next 5 million gallons, and 10 cents a gallon for the next 5 million gallons.

Biofuels Digest Index up 0.99 points to 103.37 as Energy Bill prospects lift ethanol stocks

The Biofuels Digest Indexâ„¢, a basket of public biofuels stocks, rose 0.99 points yesterday to close at 103.37, as rising prices for pure-play ethanol stocks offset mixed results from large cap agribusiness.

Among large caps, Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) led the sector, up 0.76 percent to $35.97. Pacific Ethanol was up 1.08 percent to $4.64 despite a downgrade to “Sell” by Goldman Sachs, with VeraSun Energy (VSE) up 4.93 percent to $10.64 leading among ethanol pure-plays. The prospects for an increased ethanol mandate in the imminent Energy Bill have increased investor interest in ethanol stocks.
Among small caps, Xethanol (XNL) was down 21.05 percent to $0.30 while GreenShift (GSHF.OB) rose 10 percent to close at $0.33.

Today in Biofuels: 2007 US Energy Bill imminent; India’s fuel marketers say red-tape is killing E5

Top Story:

In Washington, agreement is reported to be imminent on the 2007 Energy Bill. The House and Senate have been working to reconcile the provisions in their respective bills since the summer. Reports from Washington say that the agreement could be finalized as soon as today. Compromise provisions in the bill are expected to include a 35 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard by 2020, which would include mileage credits for flex-fuel vehicles. The Renewable Fuel Standard of 36 million gallons by 2022 is expected to survive, with some provisions for different biofuels still under evaluation. The mandate that utilities generate 15 percent of their power from renewable resources, and a repeal of the $16 billion tax break for the oil and gas industries, are not expected to appear in the final bill.

Producer News:

In Kansas, Ethanex has proposed a 132 Mgy ethanol plant to be constructed at the Jeffrey Energy Center in Pottawatomie County . The proposed plant will have zero carnon emissions and will not require an independent water source.

In Arizona, Earth Friendly Fuels has proposed a 59 Mgy ethanol plant for Camp Navajo, near Flagstaff. The proposed complex at Camp Navajo would also include a biomass-based power plant and a brewery.

International News:

In India, a report in the Economic Times states that oil marketing companies, which are experiencing cash flow difficulties, are unable to switch to E5 blends that would save them $1.52 for every gallon of petrol replaced with ethanol. The reason? A complex web of state regulations and tax issues , as well as entry barriers in various states.

In Malawi, Ethco (The Ethanol Company) is supplying ethanol and test vehicles to the Malawi government for a 5-year, $1 million study on the impacts of ethanol. Ethco manufactures 2 Mgy at its plant, while Presscane produces 3 Mgy in Chikwawa. Ethco is encouraging the Malawi government to encourage the expanded use of ethanol to offset climate change effects.

In Brazil, Cargill announced that they will build a soybean processor unit in Mato Grosso state, which would commence operation in 2009. Mato Grosso will also be home to a new crushing facility operated by Bunge. Rapidly increasing soy prices and livestock feed demand have led to the announcements, after numerous shutdowns in past years due to poor margins.

In the UK, Ineos confirmed that it has given the green light to its $100 million expansion of the Baleycourt biodiesel plant in France. Capacity will double to 65 Mgy. The project is a joint venture with German oil company C Thywissen and SICLAÉ, a French farming cooperative.

In Malaysia, New Forests and the Sabah state government have agreed on the establishment of a conservation bank for the region. Under the agreement, palm oil producers will purchase biodiversity credits from the group in return for the right to expand their production. In turn, the bank will invest those credits in biodiversity projects and plantations, The immediate beneficiary is the 34,000 hectare Malua Forest Reserve, home to several endangered species including orangutans.

Research News:

Researchers in Lees, England have developed a process to convert glycerol to hydrogen gas. The new process is reported to be substantially cheaoper than water electrolysis, the most popular production method for hydrogen. In the process, researcher mix glycerol with steam and produce water, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, producing pure hydrogen gas after the carbon is absorbed by special filters.

Policy and Policymakers:

The United Nations Development Program called today for the elimination of the Brazilian ethanol tariff imposed by the US and Europe. The UNDP report said that Brazilian ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 percent, compared to 13 percent for corn ethanol, and that trade barriers are preventing the reduction of worldwide dependence on oil.

Gov. Bill Richardson outlined his energy plan yesterday in Iowa. Proposed programs and policies include: tax credits for alternative energy production, a 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020, and a reduction of 50 percent of US dependence on foreign oil.

Consumer and Fleet News:

In Maryland, Cato Gas & Oil has agreed with Greenlight Biofuels to distribute biodiesel produced at Greenlight’s Princess Park facility. Cato has invested $5 million in a new biofuel terminal.

Financial News:

The Biofuels Digest Indexâ„¢, a basket of public biofuels stocks, rose 0.51 percent to 102.36 yesterday as large cap diversified agribusiness recovered even while mid cap ethanol stocks fell across the board. The Andersons (ANDE) was up 1.55 percent to close at $41.20 while, among mid caps, Aventine (AVR) fell 2.74 percent to close at $8.52. Among small caps, Better Biodiesel (BBDS.OB) rose 37.25 percent to close at $0.70, reversing Monday’s decline.

Biofuels Digest Indexâ„¢ gains 0.51 percent to close at 102.36; large caps up, ethanol pure plays down

The Biofuels Digest Indexâ„¢, a basket of public biofuels stocks, rose 0.51 percent to 102.36 yesterday as large cap diversified agribusiness recovered even while mid cap ethanol stocks fell across the board. The Andersons (ANDE) was up 1.55 percent to close at $41.20 while, among mid caps, Aventine (AVR) fell 2.74 percent to close at $8.52. Among small caps, Better Biodiesel (BBDS.OB) rose 37.25 percent to close at $0.70, reversing Monday’s decline.

2007 Energy Bill imminent from Congress; 36 billion gallon Renewable Fuel Standard expected to survive

In Washington, agreement is reported to be imminent on the 2007 Energy Bill. The House and Senate have been working to reconcile the provisions in their respective bills since the summer. Reports from Washington say that the agreement could be finalized as soon as today.

Compromise provisions in the bill are expected to include a 35 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard by 2020, which would include mileage credits for flex-fuel vehicles.

The Renewable Fuel Standard of 36 million gallons by 2022 is expected to survive, with some provisions for different biofuels still under evaluation.

The mandate that utilities generate 15 percent of their power from renewable resources, and a repeal of the $16 billion tax break for the oil and gas industries, are not expected to appear in the final bill.

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