50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile: Piedmont Biofuels
Piedmont Biofuels
Based in: North Carolina
2008-09 ranking: Unranked
Business: Using esterification, transesterication, flash evaporation, acidification, enzymatic refining to produce sustainable biodiesel, acid oil, fatty acid distillates, and refined glycerol.
Model: Owner-operator, with member ship cooperative for retail fueling.
Past milestones:
1. Awarded a $197,000 grant from the North Carolina Biofuels Center to conduct enzymatic biodiesel production. The research is a collaborative effort with Novozymes and Chatham County Economic Development Corporation (CEDC).
2. Commissioned the first biorefinery in North Carolina and therefore expanding biobased product refining capabilities. Part of the Biorefinery installation included the development of biobased fuel application for on-site boiler heat.
3. The first and only small commercial producer to receive BQ-9000 accreditation by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission in United States. Currently Piedmont Biofuels continues to be the only BQ-9000 accredited producer in the state of North Carolina.
Future milestones:
1. Operate Pilot-scale enzymatic biodiesel production on low value feedstocks like brown and trap greases.
2. Combined Heat Power application utilizing biomass based diesel integrated into biodiesel production and the local utility grid.
3. Utility-scale bioheat installation for small town application across the US
Metrics: 1 Mgy plant produces fuel in 4,000 gallon batches.
Piedmont Biofuels quotable quotes: “We make, market and sell biodiesel. We consult on setting up biodiesel businesses (plants and stations). We provide fuel maker and lab tech training. We teach classes and workshops on biodiesel and straight vegetable oil. We lobby the N.C. legislature, as well as our national representatives on behalf of biodiesel and renewable energy. We have an internship program that allows people to live on site and learn about all facets of our operations.”
“We have made fuel out of everything from peanut oil to canola oil to sausage waste to poultry fat. We have yet to make fuel from a dead squirrel, but we are working on it.”
“Piedmont’s industry strengths are linked to its commitment to fuel quality, customer service and education. We have been educating public and private sectors about biodiesel since our cooperative formation in 2002. We are a leading institution for experiential education in the biodiesel industry. As the only BQ-9000 producer in North Carolina, Piedmont is the only local provider that can fuel many government and municipal fleets with biodiesel with our high quality biodiesel. We also have a unique model of integration with all facets of feedstock collection, commercial production, a co-located biorefinery for co-products, retail and wholesale distribution capabilities, on-site analytical laboratory, engineering, and fabrication services.”
The Hot 50 for 2009-10 will be released Tuesday, 12/1. Between now and then, you’ll see profiles of potential candidates in the Digest, and you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorites. Reader response will count for 50 percent of a company’s overall score in the preparation of the rankings. The remaining 50 percent is voted by a panel of experts.
Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter
Subscribe FREE to the world's most-widely read biofuels daily. Enter your email in the box below,
Related Stories
Hot Topics
The Hottest 50 Companies in Bioenergy
Latest algae-to-energy news
Latest jatropha news
Latest Waste-to-energy news
Entry Information
Filed Under: Producer News
Post a Comment | Trackback URL
You must be logged in to post a comment.
