Ethanol Could Make Diesel Engines Greener

A corn grower leader is working on using ethanol to help fuel diesel engines.

National Corn Growers Association chairman Bob Dickey is also chairman of CleanFlex Power Systems, which is so new they haven’t built a website yet, but what they have done is developed a method to efficiently use ethanol in diesel engines.

Dickey started the idea a year ago when he bought a new John Deere 150-hp four-cylinder turbo diesel irrigation system engine and retrofitted it to use an ethanol and diesel blend. “It worked so well that we applied for a grant at the University of Nebraska and we’re currently doing research there to bring credibility to what we’re doing,” Dickey says.

The company has developed a new hydrated-ethanol fuel called EM60 (a mixture of 60% ethanol and 40% water) to combine with diesel fuel to power diesel engines. “Just like oil and water don’t mix, ethanol and diesel don’t mix,” Dickey said. So, they run two lines into the diesel engine. “The only time the ethanol, water and diesel are together is at the point of combustion and it really works well. The engine runs cooler, it runs more efficient and the emissions are reduced.”

CleanFlex president Ron Preston says the fuel they are using is 120 proof ethanol. “Most ethanol plants are putting out 200 proof ethanol and we add distilled water or reverse osmosis water to get it to 120 proof,” he said.

Preston says they are talking with agricultural equipment manufacturers, railroads, and even bus companies about the idea because the EM60 fuel has the potential to help meet Tier 4 emission standards that become effective in 2011. “There are 60 million diesel engines in the United States,” Preston says. “We’ve been working with EPA and going through the proper steps to make ethanol a solution that will help them meet emissions requirements.”

They have already tested the fuel with two and five percent biodiesel blends and it works just as well. “The bottom line is that we can become less dependent on foreign oil,” Dickey says.

Ethanol Could Make Diesel Engines Greener

A corn grower leader is working on using ethanol to help fuel diesel engines.

National Corn Growers Association chairman Bob Dickey is also chairman of CleanFlex Power Systems, which is so new they haven’t built a website yet, but what they have done is developed a method to efficiently use ethanol in diesel engines.

Dickey started the idea a year ago when he bought a new John Deere 150-hp four-cylinder turbo diesel irrigation system engine and retrofitted it to use an ethanol and diesel blend. “It worked so well that we applied for a grant at the University of Nebraska and we’re currently doing research there to bring credibility to what we’re doing,” Dickey says.

The company has developed a new hydrated-ethanol fuel called EM60 (a mixture of 60% ethanol and 40% water) to combine with diesel fuel to power diesel engines. “Just like oil and water don’t mix, ethanol and diesel don’t mix,” Dickey said. So, they run two lines into the diesel engine. “The only time the ethanol, water and diesel are together is at the point of combustion and it really works well. The engine runs cooler, it runs more efficient and the emissions are reduced.”

CleanFlex president Ron Preston says the fuel they are using is 120 proof ethanol. “Most ethanol plants are putting out 200 proof ethanol and we add distilled water or reverse osmosis water to get it to 120 proof,” he said.

Preston says they are talking with agricultural equipment manufacturers, railroads, and even bus companies about the idea because the EM60 fuel has the potential to help meet Tier 4 emission standards that become effective in 2011. “There are 60 million diesel engines in the United States,” Preston says. “We’ve been working with EPA and going through the proper steps to make ethanol a solution that will help them meet emissions requirements.”

They have already tested the fuel with two and five percent biodiesel blends and it works just as well. “The bottom line is that we can become less dependent on foreign oil,” Dickey says.

Cane ethanol helps cut greenhouse emissions: study

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Use of sugar cane-based ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is among the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Brazilian study published on Wednesday.

Cane ethanol provides about eight times the energy used to produce it and adoption of new cane plant varieties and processes could increase its efficiency further. The study looked only at the future production of cane over pastures or as a replacement for other crops -- not over native forests.

Most new cars in Brazil can run on ethanol alone and the biofuel´s environmental benefits are redoubled by burning its bagasse byproduct in thermoelectric plants powering mills and sometimes even feeding into the grid.

"As ethanol is already competitive with gasoline at current oil prices, the additional cost (in adopting ethanol) is zero," said Isaias Macedo, from the Interdisciplinary Center of Energy Planning at the University of Campinas, one of the study´s authors. "And the possibility of producing ethanol in several countries makes it especially attractive," Macedo added.

Brazil is the world´s largest producer of cane-based ethanol. The United States is the No. 1 ethanol maker but its fuel is made from corn whose energy output is roughly equal to that used to produce it.

Ethanol´s gradual replacement of gasoline since the introduction of flex-fuel cars in early 2003 and the blending of 20 to 25 percent of ethanol in all gasoline sold in Brazil, combined with the co-generation of energy through the burning of bagasse at mills, has slashed greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2006 alone, the drop in emissions by the transport and energy sectors was 22 percent of what they would be if the country´s cars were burning gasoline, according to the study.
Still, Brazil remains one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases due to destruction of its massive Amazon rain forest. Trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they´re felled or burned.

Considering Brazil´s total emissions unrelated to deforestation, ethanol helped reduce overall emissions by 10 percent that same year, according to the study which also involved researchers at the University of Sao Paulo.

Considering fuel production and emission-cutting targets set by Brazil in its 2008´s climate change plan, ethanol could reduce emission levels in the transport and energy sector by 43 percent in 2020 and 18 percent for all emissions excluding deforestation.

Brazil is seeking to play a leading role in talks in Copenhagen in December aimed at agreeing a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

The ethanol industry does not want Brazil´s poor ranking for total emissions to tarnish its environmental credentials. It has been fighting to show the world how cane is the most energy-efficient raw material for ethanol.

About 90 percent of Brazil´s sugar cane is produced in the center-south region, which includes Pantanal wetlands. But the main producing areas are about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from the Amazon forest. The rest in the north/northeast of the country.

Macedo said that, based on an estimated cost of $100 per tonne of CO2 avoided in 2020 or 2030, it would be possible to attribute to ethanol an additional value of 20 U.S. cents per liter. "When you decide to use ethanol, this is how much you´ll avoid paying for another option," the researcher said.

Cane ethanol helps cut greenhouse emissions: study

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Use of sugar cane-based ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is among the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Brazilian study published on Wednesday.

Cane ethanol provides about eight times the energy used to produce it and adoption of new cane plant varieties and processes could increase its efficiency further. The study looked only at the future production of cane over pastures or as a replacement for other crops -- not over native forests.

Most new cars in Brazil can run on ethanol alone and the biofuel´s environmental benefits are redoubled by burning its bagasse byproduct in thermoelectric plants powering mills and sometimes even feeding into the grid.

"As ethanol is already competitive with gasoline at current oil prices, the additional cost (in adopting ethanol) is zero," said Isaias Macedo, from the Interdisciplinary Center of Energy Planning at the University of Campinas, one of the study´s authors. "And the possibility of producing ethanol in several countries makes it especially attractive," Macedo added.

Brazil is the world´s largest producer of cane-based ethanol. The United States is the No. 1 ethanol maker but its fuel is made from corn whose energy output is roughly equal to that used to produce it.

Ethanol´s gradual replacement of gasoline since the introduction of flex-fuel cars in early 2003 and the blending of 20 to 25 percent of ethanol in all gasoline sold in Brazil, combined with the co-generation of energy through the burning of bagasse at mills, has slashed greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2006 alone, the drop in emissions by the transport and energy sectors was 22 percent of what they would be if the country´s cars were burning gasoline, according to the study.
Still, Brazil remains one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases due to destruction of its massive Amazon rain forest. Trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they´re felled or burned.

Considering Brazil´s total emissions unrelated to deforestation, ethanol helped reduce overall emissions by 10 percent that same year, according to the study which also involved researchers at the University of Sao Paulo.

Considering fuel production and emission-cutting targets set by Brazil in its 2008´s climate change plan, ethanol could reduce emission levels in the transport and energy sector by 43 percent in 2020 and 18 percent for all emissions excluding deforestation.

Brazil is seeking to play a leading role in talks in Copenhagen in December aimed at agreeing a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

The ethanol industry does not want Brazil´s poor ranking for total emissions to tarnish its environmental credentials. It has been fighting to show the world how cane is the most energy-efficient raw material for ethanol.

About 90 percent of Brazil´s sugar cane is produced in the center-south region, which includes Pantanal wetlands. But the main producing areas are about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from the Amazon forest. The rest in the north/northeast of the country.

Macedo said that, based on an estimated cost of $100 per tonne of CO2 avoided in 2020 or 2030, it would be possible to attribute to ethanol an additional value of 20 U.S. cents per liter. "When you decide to use ethanol, this is how much you´ll avoid paying for another option," the researcher said.

Soros Plans to Invest $1B in Clean Energy Technology

NEW YORK (DTN) -- George Soros, the New York-based billionaire hedge fund manager, plans to invest $1 billion in clean energy technology.

Soros made the announcement on Saturday during a panel discussion on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark, saying his move would be part of an attempt to address the problem of climate change.

Soros spokesman Michael Vachon confirmed those plans to Telvent DTN this morning. Soros also plans to donate $100 million to an environmental advisory group to aid policymakers.

Soros, the founder of hedge fund Soros Fund Management LLC, is well known for his support of liberal causes at home and in Eastern Europe.

However, Soros said he would apply stringent criteria to his clean energy investments. He said those investments should be profitable as well as contributing to solving the problem of climate change.

Soros' money would be one of the largest investments from an individual going into clean energy, which has seen a slowdown in capital inflows over the past year.

New Energy Finance, a research firm in London, says that global investment in renewable energy technology totaled $25.9 billion in the third quarter, 22 percent below the same quarter in 2008. The total includes venture capital, private equity, public equity, asset finance, bonds and corporate debt.

Soros Plans to Invest $1B in Clean Energy Technology

NEW YORK (DTN) -- George Soros, the New York-based billionaire hedge fund manager, plans to invest $1 billion in clean energy technology.

Soros made the announcement on Saturday during a panel discussion on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark, saying his move would be part of an attempt to address the problem of climate change.

Soros spokesman Michael Vachon confirmed those plans to Telvent DTN this morning. Soros also plans to donate $100 million to an environmental advisory group to aid policymakers.

Soros, the founder of hedge fund Soros Fund Management LLC, is well known for his support of liberal causes at home and in Eastern Europe.

However, Soros said he would apply stringent criteria to his clean energy investments. He said those investments should be profitable as well as contributing to solving the problem of climate change.

Soros' money would be one of the largest investments from an individual going into clean energy, which has seen a slowdown in capital inflows over the past year.

New Energy Finance, a research firm in London, says that global investment in renewable energy technology totaled $25.9 billion in the third quarter, 22 percent below the same quarter in 2008. The total includes venture capital, private equity, public equity, asset finance, bonds and corporate debt.

Two Firms Plan a Biofuels Project in Puerto Rico

NEW YORK (DTN) -- New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc., a renewable fuel technology firm in Maryland, Monday announced plans to allow a biofuels producer in Puerto Rico to use its technology.

The Columbia, Md.-based New Generation Biofuels said it has signed a letter-of-intent with Ace Biofuels of San Juan, Puerto Rico, under which it would license out its product formulations, manufacturing technology and know-how.

Ace Biofuels, which is constructing a biofuel manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, will pay New Generation Biofuels an undisclosed licensing fee for every gallon produced and sold.

Puerto Rico has annual market consumption in excess of 30 million gallons of biofuels, according to a study by the University of Puerto Rico.

"The whole of Puerto Rico is in the process of exploring a number of alternative and renewable energy options to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and help to decrease the impact that global warming could have on the island," said Edgardo Fabregas Rios, president of Ace Biofuels. "With NGBF's unique biofuel technology, we can help not only our customers, but our country as well."

The terms of the letter call for Ace Biofuels to jointly manage the Puerto Rico project with New Generation Biofuels. The facility is expected to start production in the first half of 2010.

Two Firms Plan a Biofuels Project in Puerto Rico

NEW YORK (DTN) -- New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc., a renewable fuel technology firm in Maryland, Monday announced plans to allow a biofuels producer in Puerto Rico to use its technology.

The Columbia, Md.-based New Generation Biofuels said it has signed a letter-of-intent with Ace Biofuels of San Juan, Puerto Rico, under which it would license out its product formulations, manufacturing technology and know-how.

Ace Biofuels, which is constructing a biofuel manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, will pay New Generation Biofuels an undisclosed licensing fee for every gallon produced and sold.

Puerto Rico has annual market consumption in excess of 30 million gallons of biofuels, according to a study by the University of Puerto Rico.

"The whole of Puerto Rico is in the process of exploring a number of alternative and renewable energy options to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and help to decrease the impact that global warming could have on the island," said Edgardo Fabregas Rios, president of Ace Biofuels. "With NGBF's unique biofuel technology, we can help not only our customers, but our country as well."

The terms of the letter call for Ace Biofuels to jointly manage the Puerto Rico project with New Generation Biofuels. The facility is expected to start production in the first half of 2010.

France: Sugarcane biofuels best to meet EU emissions target

First-generation biofuels currently used in France meet the European Union’s target of 35% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2010, a study published last Thursday by the French energy and environment agency ADEME shows. According to the agency, all biofuel samples analyzed met the EU’s target, with the majority of grades giving greenhouse gas savings between 60% and 80%, excluding land use changes.

The study concluded that ethanol made from sugar cane proved to be the most environmentally friendly with GHG reduction of over 80%. ETBE, a mix of ethanol and isobutylene, showed the least favorable results, with ETBE made from wheat-based ethanol saving about 35% GHG emissions, just slightly above the EU target. ETBE made from sugar cane ethanol proved to be the most efficient type at about 50% reduction.

France: Sugarcane biofuels best to meet EU emissions target

First-generation biofuels currently used in France meet the European Union’s target of 35% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2010, a study published last Thursday by the French energy and environment agency ADEME shows. According to the agency, all biofuel samples analyzed met the EU’s target, with the majority of grades giving greenhouse gas savings between 60% and 80%, excluding land use changes.

The study concluded that ethanol made from sugar cane proved to be the most environmentally friendly with GHG reduction of over 80%. ETBE, a mix of ethanol and isobutylene, showed the least favorable results, with ETBE made from wheat-based ethanol saving about 35% GHG emissions, just slightly above the EU target. ETBE made from sugar cane ethanol proved to be the most efficient type at about 50% reduction.

UNICA: opção da Johnson&Johnson por Resina Verde da Braskem deve servir de exemplo 06/10/2009

A decisão da multinacional Johnson&Johnson de fechar uma parceria com a Braskem para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde, um polietileno obtido através da cana-de-açúcar, representa o inicio de uma importante fase na indústria, avalia o consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (ÚNICA), Alfred Szwarc. “Este acordo, de grandes proporções, é sem dúvida o início de uma mudança de paradigmas na indústria. Está mais do que na hora do início de um processo de substituição de produtos fósseis – leia-se aqui o petróleo – para uma matéria-prima limpa, cuja tecnologia somos detentores”, raciocina Alfred Szwarc. Nesta segunda-feira (05/10), em comunicado à Imprensa, a Brasken informou que a Johnson&Johsnon é a primeira indústria de higiene e beleza a fechar um acordo para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde Sundown® A Resina é elaborada com matérias-primas 100% renováveis e o material tem o mesmo aspecto e propriedades dos plásticos tradicionais no produto final, com a diferença de que é capaz de capturar CO2 da atmosfera, ou seja, uma tonelada de resina verde capta 2,5 t de CO2, informa a Brasken. “A empresa possui diversas outras atividades ligadas à responsabilidade ambiental como tratamento de efluentes, controle de resíduos sólidos, etc. No que diz respeito a embalagens, possuímos diversos projetos de utilização de material reciclado pré e pós-consumo, mas realmente a utilização da Resina Verde é uma ação inédita da companhia em todo o mundo", diz Marcelo Scatolini, gerente de grupo de Suncare da Johnson & Johnson. Cronograma As primeiras embalagens com o novo material chegam para o verão 2011/2012. Inicialmente, a Linha Regular de Protetores e Bloqueadores e a linha de bronzeadores Sundown® Gold serão as primeiras a serem produzidas com a embalagem de matéria-prima renovável, mas todo o portfólio deve passar a ser feito com a Resina Verde. "A Johnson & Johnson terá exclusividade no mercado de proteção solar no Brasil e segue avaliando o uso do polietileno verde em outras linhas de produto e em outras regiões do mundo. A Resina Verde veio ampliar a relação de Sundown® com o Sol. Além do produto, agora a embalagem também terá essa relação, já que este material só existe porque o sol dá a energia necessária para o desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar", afirma Rui Chammas, diretor do negócio polietileno da Braskem. O Eteno Verde é produzido a partir da desidratação do etanol da cana-de-açúcar (o mesmo que hoje é utilizado como combustível nos carros flex) e depois polimerizado em polietileno verde, em unidades industriais que serão dedicadas exclusivamente ao produto. Este plástico pode ser utilizado em todas as aplicações onde hoje se utiliza a versão petroquímica, sem qualquer adaptação em máquinas ou processos produtivos.

UNICA: opção da Johnson&Johnson por Resina Verde da Braskem deve servir de exemplo 06/10/2009

A decisão da multinacional Johnson&Johnson de fechar uma parceria com a Braskem para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde, um polietileno obtido através da cana-de-açúcar, representa o inicio de uma importante fase na indústria, avalia o consultor de Emissões e Tecnologia da União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar (ÚNICA), Alfred Szwarc. “Este acordo, de grandes proporções, é sem dúvida o início de uma mudança de paradigmas na indústria. Está mais do que na hora do início de um processo de substituição de produtos fósseis – leia-se aqui o petróleo – para uma matéria-prima limpa, cuja tecnologia somos detentores”, raciocina Alfred Szwarc. Nesta segunda-feira (05/10), em comunicado à Imprensa, a Brasken informou que a Johnson&Johsnon é a primeira indústria de higiene e beleza a fechar um acordo para produzir embalagens de Resina Verde Sundown® A Resina é elaborada com matérias-primas 100% renováveis e o material tem o mesmo aspecto e propriedades dos plásticos tradicionais no produto final, com a diferença de que é capaz de capturar CO2 da atmosfera, ou seja, uma tonelada de resina verde capta 2,5 t de CO2, informa a Brasken. “A empresa possui diversas outras atividades ligadas à responsabilidade ambiental como tratamento de efluentes, controle de resíduos sólidos, etc. No que diz respeito a embalagens, possuímos diversos projetos de utilização de material reciclado pré e pós-consumo, mas realmente a utilização da Resina Verde é uma ação inédita da companhia em todo o mundo", diz Marcelo Scatolini, gerente de grupo de Suncare da Johnson & Johnson. Cronograma As primeiras embalagens com o novo material chegam para o verão 2011/2012. Inicialmente, a Linha Regular de Protetores e Bloqueadores e a linha de bronzeadores Sundown® Gold serão as primeiras a serem produzidas com a embalagem de matéria-prima renovável, mas todo o portfólio deve passar a ser feito com a Resina Verde. "A Johnson & Johnson terá exclusividade no mercado de proteção solar no Brasil e segue avaliando o uso do polietileno verde em outras linhas de produto e em outras regiões do mundo. A Resina Verde veio ampliar a relação de Sundown® com o Sol. Além do produto, agora a embalagem também terá essa relação, já que este material só existe porque o sol dá a energia necessária para o desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar", afirma Rui Chammas, diretor do negócio polietileno da Braskem. O Eteno Verde é produzido a partir da desidratação do etanol da cana-de-açúcar (o mesmo que hoje é utilizado como combustível nos carros flex) e depois polimerizado em polietileno verde, em unidades industriais que serão dedicadas exclusivamente ao produto. Este plástico pode ser utilizado em todas as aplicações onde hoje se utiliza a versão petroquímica, sem qualquer adaptação em máquinas ou processos produtivos.

Downturn is 'climate opportunity'

Environment correspondent, BBC News website

The IEA says governments must act fast - and protestors say they are not

The global recession provides a window of opportunity to curb climate change and build a low-carbon future, says the International Energy Agency (IEA).

It calculates that global greenhouse gas emissions will fall by 3% this year - an increase on previous estimates.

If governments take this opportunity to invest in clean technology, the global temperature rise can be kept below the G8 goal of 2C (3.6F), the agency says.

The findings were released at UN climate talks in Bangkok.

"The message is simple and stark: if the world continues on the basis of today's energy and climate policies, the consequences of climate change will be severe," said IEA executive director Nobuo Tanaka.

The cost of addressing climate change is manageable. The cost of not doing so is unaffordable Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC

"Energy is at the heart of the problem - and so must form the core of the solution."

The recession is likely to mean emissions being 3% lower this year than last - and it will have a longer term impact, the IEA says, with emissions in 2020 projected to be 5% less than they would have been without an economic dip.

The biggest carbon cuts will come from improving energy efficiency, it says.

Slash, not burn

The agency presents a series of policy measures for different regions of the world and for countries at various stages of economic development.

Its prescription would lead to greenhouse gas concentrations being stabilised at the equivalent of 450 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide - a level that, according to some analyses, offers a good chance that the rise in the global average temperature since pre-industrial times could be kept within 2C.

Without these policies, the agency calculates that concentrations will soar to 1,000ppm by mid-century - levels that, in many scientists' views, would lead to catastrophic and irreversible consequences.

But political and financial capital needs to be invested soon if the world is to follow the 450ppm path, it says, with emissions needing to peak around 2020.

The IEA sees carbon reductions coming mainly through higher efficiency

Developed countries, which it defines as those in the OECD and/or EU, will have to slash energy-related emissions by 17% in the next 11 years and by 50% by 2030.

Other major emitters such as China, India and Brazil would have to keep the rise in their emissions to 14% above current levels by 2030.

Countries in earlier stages of development would be able to increase their greenhouse gas output.

Globally, clean energy technologies would expand rapidly.

In the decade after 2020, the IEA's prescription includes a threefold expansion of nuclear power, a fourfold growth in the renewables sector and a 14-fold expansion of clean coal technologies.

The cost of this transformation would be $10 trillion between 2010 and 2030, the agency says - but improving energy efficiency would save virtually the same amount.

Bangkok heat

In a foreword to the report, Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN climate convention (UNFCCC), warned that all of this was contingent on tying up an ambitious global deal during December's UN climate conference in Copenhagen.

"These results should motivate us all to step up efforts to reach an agreement with the requisite ambition," he said.

The IEA says low-carbon avenues would be explored for all walks of life

"The cost of addressing climate change is manageable. The cost of not doing so is unaffordable."

Mr de Boer is currently in Bangkok, chairing a preparatory meeting of officials from governments inside the UN convention.

On Monday, China and Sudan - which chairs the G77/China bloc of primarily developing nations - accused rich countries of trying to "kill off" one of the fundamentals of the Kyoto Protocol - that emission targets should be legally binding in some way.

They accuse western countries such as the US and Australia of wanting to make targets more flexible, which they fear will allow "wriggle room".

The IEA's analysis forms part of its annual World Energy Outlook, and has been released early in order that it can be discussed in the Bangkok talks.

Selected headline figures, including the recession's projected impact on emissions, were made public last month.

Downturn is 'climate opportunity'

Environment correspondent, BBC News website

The IEA says governments must act fast - and protestors say they are not

The global recession provides a window of opportunity to curb climate change and build a low-carbon future, says the International Energy Agency (IEA).

It calculates that global greenhouse gas emissions will fall by 3% this year - an increase on previous estimates.

If governments take this opportunity to invest in clean technology, the global temperature rise can be kept below the G8 goal of 2C (3.6F), the agency says.

The findings were released at UN climate talks in Bangkok.

"The message is simple and stark: if the world continues on the basis of today's energy and climate policies, the consequences of climate change will be severe," said IEA executive director Nobuo Tanaka.

The cost of addressing climate change is manageable. The cost of not doing so is unaffordable Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC

"Energy is at the heart of the problem - and so must form the core of the solution."

The recession is likely to mean emissions being 3% lower this year than last - and it will have a longer term impact, the IEA says, with emissions in 2020 projected to be 5% less than they would have been without an economic dip.

The biggest carbon cuts will come from improving energy efficiency, it says.

Slash, not burn

The agency presents a series of policy measures for different regions of the world and for countries at various stages of economic development.

Its prescription would lead to greenhouse gas concentrations being stabilised at the equivalent of 450 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide - a level that, according to some analyses, offers a good chance that the rise in the global average temperature since pre-industrial times could be kept within 2C.

Without these policies, the agency calculates that concentrations will soar to 1,000ppm by mid-century - levels that, in many scientists' views, would lead to catastrophic and irreversible consequences.

But political and financial capital needs to be invested soon if the world is to follow the 450ppm path, it says, with emissions needing to peak around 2020.

The IEA sees carbon reductions coming mainly through higher efficiency

Developed countries, which it defines as those in the OECD and/or EU, will have to slash energy-related emissions by 17% in the next 11 years and by 50% by 2030.

Other major emitters such as China, India and Brazil would have to keep the rise in their emissions to 14% above current levels by 2030.

Countries in earlier stages of development would be able to increase their greenhouse gas output.

Globally, clean energy technologies would expand rapidly.

In the decade after 2020, the IEA's prescription includes a threefold expansion of nuclear power, a fourfold growth in the renewables sector and a 14-fold expansion of clean coal technologies.

The cost of this transformation would be $10 trillion between 2010 and 2030, the agency says - but improving energy efficiency would save virtually the same amount.

Bangkok heat

In a foreword to the report, Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN climate convention (UNFCCC), warned that all of this was contingent on tying up an ambitious global deal during December's UN climate conference in Copenhagen.

"These results should motivate us all to step up efforts to reach an agreement with the requisite ambition," he said.

The IEA says low-carbon avenues would be explored for all walks of life

"The cost of addressing climate change is manageable. The cost of not doing so is unaffordable."

Mr de Boer is currently in Bangkok, chairing a preparatory meeting of officials from governments inside the UN convention.

On Monday, China and Sudan - which chairs the G77/China bloc of primarily developing nations - accused rich countries of trying to "kill off" one of the fundamentals of the Kyoto Protocol - that emission targets should be legally binding in some way.

They accuse western countries such as the US and Australia of wanting to make targets more flexible, which they fear will allow "wriggle room".

The IEA's analysis forms part of its annual World Energy Outlook, and has been released early in order that it can be discussed in the Bangkok talks.

Selected headline figures, including the recession's projected impact on emissions, were made public last month.

UNICA to EPA – Sugarcane Ethanol Reduces GHGs

In a 40 page letter submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UNICA, the organization representing the Brazilian sugarcane industry, noted that even accounting for theoretical Indirect Land Use Changes, sugarcane ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by up to 85 percent. In addition, the organization cites that sugarcane ethanol is a viable way to help the U.S. meet the advanced biofuels requirements of RFS2 (Renewable Fuels Standard).

“We emphatically demonstrated, with verifiable scientific evidence, that Brazilian ethanol is certainly an appropriate alternative for meeting the advanced biofuel requirements of RFS2,” says UNICA’s Chief Representative for North America, Joel Velasco.

The implementation of RFS2 is more than a year delayed and court actions could be taken if the EPA doesn’t take action quickly. One area of concern has been the question of whether the ethanol industry will, or can, meet the cellulosic ethanol requirements. To alleviate this issue, UNICA has suggested modifying the rules to include advanced biofuels such as sugarcane, rather than drowning cellulosic ethanol via the action of waiving that portion of the mandate.

According to EPA calculations, Brazilian cane ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 44 percent considering a 2005 gasoline baseline. That would classify sugarcane ethanol as an advanced biofuel. Nevertheless, under suggested revisions, UNICA points out that sugarcane ethanol would reduce GHG emissions by 82 percent or more.

“We are confident that EPA will make an independent, scientific determination that sugarcane ethanol qualifies as an advanced biofuel under RFS2,” concludes Velasco.

UNICA to EPA – Sugarcane Ethanol Reduces GHGs

In a 40 page letter submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UNICA, the organization representing the Brazilian sugarcane industry, noted that even accounting for theoretical Indirect Land Use Changes, sugarcane ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by up to 85 percent. In addition, the organization cites that sugarcane ethanol is a viable way to help the U.S. meet the advanced biofuels requirements of RFS2 (Renewable Fuels Standard).

“We emphatically demonstrated, with verifiable scientific evidence, that Brazilian ethanol is certainly an appropriate alternative for meeting the advanced biofuel requirements of RFS2,” says UNICA’s Chief Representative for North America, Joel Velasco.

The implementation of RFS2 is more than a year delayed and court actions could be taken if the EPA doesn’t take action quickly. One area of concern has been the question of whether the ethanol industry will, or can, meet the cellulosic ethanol requirements. To alleviate this issue, UNICA has suggested modifying the rules to include advanced biofuels such as sugarcane, rather than drowning cellulosic ethanol via the action of waiving that portion of the mandate.

According to EPA calculations, Brazilian cane ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 44 percent considering a 2005 gasoline baseline. That would classify sugarcane ethanol as an advanced biofuel. Nevertheless, under suggested revisions, UNICA points out that sugarcane ethanol would reduce GHG emissions by 82 percent or more.

“We are confident that EPA will make an independent, scientific determination that sugarcane ethanol qualifies as an advanced biofuel under RFS2,” concludes Velasco.

Corn Growers Say They Can Double Ethanol Production

U.S. farmers could grow enough corn to produce 25 billion gallons of ethanol in 2030, twice as much as this year’s target of 12 billion gallons, said Darrin Ihnen, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Asserting corn yields could double in 20 years, NCGA says there would be enough corn in 2030 to produce 25 billion gallons of ethanol, he said. Of course, readers of this blog know that Congress explicitly limited corn ethanol to 15 billion gallons in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Neverthless, the NCGA head says, “if we don’t get past the higher-blend issue, then even 15 billion (gallons) is moot,” told Reuters referring to a proposal pending at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline.

Corn Growers Say They Can Double Ethanol Production

U.S. farmers could grow enough corn to produce 25 billion gallons of ethanol in 2030, twice as much as this year’s target of 12 billion gallons, said Darrin Ihnen, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Asserting corn yields could double in 20 years, NCGA says there would be enough corn in 2030 to produce 25 billion gallons of ethanol, he said. Of course, readers of this blog know that Congress explicitly limited corn ethanol to 15 billion gallons in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Neverthless, the NCGA head says, “if we don’t get past the higher-blend issue, then even 15 billion (gallons) is moot,” told Reuters referring to a proposal pending at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline.

Jatrodiesel: making money, growing fast

Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies featured Ohio’s Jatrodiesel at the 550 slot and ranked 22 in the energy sector. The selection is evidence that there’s still money to be made in the biodiesel industry, despite continued reports of bankruptcies, stalled capacities and high-priced commodities.

“The biodiesel plants that are not doing well basically have two problems,” said Raj Mosali, CEO of Jatrodiesel. “Either they don’t have any cash on hand, or they can’t sell their biodiesel because their price is too high. Right now, there is about 35 cent margin between a producer’s cost and the price of diesel fuel, so a plant that is using multi-feedstock technology and has a pretty lean operation should be able to make money.”

Some biodiesel plants have inefficient technologies and can’t make biodiesel at a reasonable price. In addition, they often don’t have capital to make improvements. “Our growth is coming from our ability to fix issues at existing plants, not from building turn-key operations,” Mosali says. “The plants that do have cash are putting in polishing equipment or adding distillation columns or glycerin recovery, which can really add to the bottom line.”

Jatrodiesel: making money, growing fast

Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies featured Ohio’s Jatrodiesel at the 550 slot and ranked 22 in the energy sector. The selection is evidence that there’s still money to be made in the biodiesel industry, despite continued reports of bankruptcies, stalled capacities and high-priced commodities.

“The biodiesel plants that are not doing well basically have two problems,” said Raj Mosali, CEO of Jatrodiesel. “Either they don’t have any cash on hand, or they can’t sell their biodiesel because their price is too high. Right now, there is about 35 cent margin between a producer’s cost and the price of diesel fuel, so a plant that is using multi-feedstock technology and has a pretty lean operation should be able to make money.”

Some biodiesel plants have inefficient technologies and can’t make biodiesel at a reasonable price. In addition, they often don’t have capital to make improvements. “Our growth is coming from our ability to fix issues at existing plants, not from building turn-key operations,” Mosali says. “The plants that do have cash are putting in polishing equipment or adding distillation columns or glycerin recovery, which can really add to the bottom line.”

Biobutanol is Latest (Small) Biofuel Aspirant

Gevo said this morning that it had successfully retrofitted a demonstration-scale ethanol plant to make biobutanol. And the privately held biofuels start-up also said it planned to pound the pavement on Wall Street looking for financing to go out and buy up to five ethanol plants to retrofit.

Why would they do this? Biobutanol is an alcohol similar to ethanol. Both can be used as a gasoline additive. But biobutanol has some clear advantages. There is no blend wall – ethanol’s 10% limit in gasoline. Biobutanol is approved to get to 16% today – and Gevo, which is backed by investors including Khosla Ventures, Burrill & Co. and Total SA – says that “standard automotive engines can run on biobutanol blended into gasoline at any ratio.”

(Others are excited about biobutanol, including Butamax, the terribly named joint venture between BP and DuPont. Who names their joint venture after something so reminiscent of the unsuccessful Betamax videotape format?)

Another advantage – experts say that biobutanol can be put into pipelines and refineries without problems. Try running ethanol through a pipeline. It worked kind of like Mr. Clean and swept up a lot of unwanted gunk.

Here’s another biobutanol advantage for the financially inclined. Ethanol makers are trapped between the Scylla and Charybdis of corn prices and gasoline prices. Biobutanol can take multiple feedstocks (corn, stover, sugar cane) and critically can sell its output as either a gasoline additive or as a chemical feedstock to make things like plastic bottles.

Here’s the catch. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. No one has built a biobutanol biorefinery at a commercial scale. Yet. The Gevo demonstration-scale plant in Missouri has an annual capacity of about 1 million gallons. So nobody knows if this is economic at scale.

Sound like the cellulosic ethanol industry? You bet. Iogen Energy is partnering with Royal Dutch Shell on a demonstration scale cellulosic ethanol plant that sells its output at a single station in Ottawa, Canada. The plant produces about 40,000 liters a month—or 126,000 gallons a year. (By way of comparison, Canada drank 30.2 million gallons of gasoline every day last year. The U.S. guzzled 377.6 million gallons daily.)

Others are building – or contemplating building – industrial scale facilities, including the likes of Verenium, Range Fuels and Mascoma.

When it comes to advanced biofuels, there just isn’t much scale out there. The only guys with any scale? The ethanol industry.

Biobutanol is Latest (Small) Biofuel Aspirant

Gevo said this morning that it had successfully retrofitted a demonstration-scale ethanol plant to make biobutanol. And the privately held biofuels start-up also said it planned to pound the pavement on Wall Street looking for financing to go out and buy up to five ethanol plants to retrofit.

Why would they do this? Biobutanol is an alcohol similar to ethanol. Both can be used as a gasoline additive. But biobutanol has some clear advantages. There is no blend wall – ethanol’s 10% limit in gasoline. Biobutanol is approved to get to 16% today – and Gevo, which is backed by investors including Khosla Ventures, Burrill & Co. and Total SA – says that “standard automotive engines can run on biobutanol blended into gasoline at any ratio.”

(Others are excited about biobutanol, including Butamax, the terribly named joint venture between BP and DuPont. Who names their joint venture after something so reminiscent of the unsuccessful Betamax videotape format?)

Another advantage – experts say that biobutanol can be put into pipelines and refineries without problems. Try running ethanol through a pipeline. It worked kind of like Mr. Clean and swept up a lot of unwanted gunk.

Here’s another biobutanol advantage for the financially inclined. Ethanol makers are trapped between the Scylla and Charybdis of corn prices and gasoline prices. Biobutanol can take multiple feedstocks (corn, stover, sugar cane) and critically can sell its output as either a gasoline additive or as a chemical feedstock to make things like plastic bottles.

Here’s the catch. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. No one has built a biobutanol biorefinery at a commercial scale. Yet. The Gevo demonstration-scale plant in Missouri has an annual capacity of about 1 million gallons. So nobody knows if this is economic at scale.

Sound like the cellulosic ethanol industry? You bet. Iogen Energy is partnering with Royal Dutch Shell on a demonstration scale cellulosic ethanol plant that sells its output at a single station in Ottawa, Canada. The plant produces about 40,000 liters a month—or 126,000 gallons a year. (By way of comparison, Canada drank 30.2 million gallons of gasoline every day last year. The U.S. guzzled 377.6 million gallons daily.)

Others are building – or contemplating building – industrial scale facilities, including the likes of Verenium, Range Fuels and Mascoma.

When it comes to advanced biofuels, there just isn’t much scale out there. The only guys with any scale? The ethanol industry.

B10 biodiesel tests to start in Thailand

RAYONG : Local field tests will start soon on biodiesel B10, a blend of 10% methyl ester with 90% diesel fuel, according to an Energy Ministry official. PTT Plc and the ministry's Department of Energy Business are carrying out the tests, which are expected to finish next year. The goal is to widen the choice of fuels available to motorists and increase the share of alternative fuels in the country's overall energy use.

The ministry expects biodiesel B5 to replace all existing B2 in the domestic market by 2011, but B10 use is not expected to be universal until 2022.

The ministry introduced B5 in 2007 and manufacturers of diesel-engine cars last month agreed to accredit the fuel.

''We are preparing well in advance to have a guarantee for the public about the quality of B10 before mandatory use in 2022,'' said the official.

The national renewable energy plan projects biodiesel use will reach 4.5 million litres per day, replacing 10% of existing diesel, by 2022.

Ensuring the availability of sufficient raw materials for biodiesel is a key part of the planning process.

''We are in the preparatory stage before the supply of crude palm oil will be enough for the transport sector,'' said the official. ''Raw palm now is slightly in surplus in the food sector.''

Thailand has a total demand for palm-based methyl ester of 1.8 million litres per day, out of overall methyl ester capacity of 4.4 million litres daily.

Biodiesel B5 is rapidly gaining acceptance, according to statistics from the department. Demand for B5 doubled year-on-year in August to 22.3 million litres per day. However, B2 consumption dropped 24% to 23.4 million litres.

Demand for ethanol-blended petrol (gasohol) rose 16.2% to 11.5 million litres per day in August. Gasohol demand has been increasing steadily since 2006, helped by subsidies of pump prices by the state Oil Fund.

B10 biodiesel tests to start in Thailand

RAYONG : Local field tests will start soon on biodiesel B10, a blend of 10% methyl ester with 90% diesel fuel, according to an Energy Ministry official. PTT Plc and the ministry's Department of Energy Business are carrying out the tests, which are expected to finish next year. The goal is to widen the choice of fuels available to motorists and increase the share of alternative fuels in the country's overall energy use.

The ministry expects biodiesel B5 to replace all existing B2 in the domestic market by 2011, but B10 use is not expected to be universal until 2022.

The ministry introduced B5 in 2007 and manufacturers of diesel-engine cars last month agreed to accredit the fuel.

''We are preparing well in advance to have a guarantee for the public about the quality of B10 before mandatory use in 2022,'' said the official.

The national renewable energy plan projects biodiesel use will reach 4.5 million litres per day, replacing 10% of existing diesel, by 2022.

Ensuring the availability of sufficient raw materials for biodiesel is a key part of the planning process.

''We are in the preparatory stage before the supply of crude palm oil will be enough for the transport sector,'' said the official. ''Raw palm now is slightly in surplus in the food sector.''

Thailand has a total demand for palm-based methyl ester of 1.8 million litres per day, out of overall methyl ester capacity of 4.4 million litres daily.

Biodiesel B5 is rapidly gaining acceptance, according to statistics from the department. Demand for B5 doubled year-on-year in August to 22.3 million litres per day. However, B2 consumption dropped 24% to 23.4 million litres.

Demand for ethanol-blended petrol (gasohol) rose 16.2% to 11.5 million litres per day in August. Gasohol demand has been increasing steadily since 2006, helped by subsidies of pump prices by the state Oil Fund.

Pakistan plans biodiesel project to reduce imports

ISLAMABAD: To overcome the shortage of petroleum products and reduce its import bill, the government of Pakistan plans to present a pilot project �Jatropha Plantation and Production of Biodiesel� with an estimated cost of $1.6m, official sources said here yesterday.

The Korean government will assist the government in initiating the pilot project through provision of $1.4m while the remaining amount will be provided by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited borrowing.

The pilot project will comprise cultivation of Jatropha on at least 200 hectares of land by farmers and setting up of a bio-diesel production unit. In this way, the farmers will earn from Jatropha farming, farm workers will have employment and small rural enterprises will sell or purchase the seeds.

Small-scale industries will grow for oil production and diesel fuel production would further provide business opportunities. Bio-products like press cake will be traded by villages, energy employment and earning will go together and marginal lands / cultivable wastelands will be utilised.

�The summary of the project has been sent to the Planning Commission for concept clearance so that work on it is processed further with donor agencies,� an official said.

The Zarai bank will play a vital role in promotion of alternate energy source through increase lending for cultivation of crops like Jatropha, Caster, Salicornia, Sukhchayn and algae as raw material for production of biodiesel.

To start with the pilot, the bank will promote plantation of Jatropha trees over 200 hectares.

Pakistan plans biodiesel project to reduce imports

ISLAMABAD: To overcome the shortage of petroleum products and reduce its import bill, the government of Pakistan plans to present a pilot project �Jatropha Plantation and Production of Biodiesel� with an estimated cost of $1.6m, official sources said here yesterday.

The Korean government will assist the government in initiating the pilot project through provision of $1.4m while the remaining amount will be provided by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited borrowing.

The pilot project will comprise cultivation of Jatropha on at least 200 hectares of land by farmers and setting up of a bio-diesel production unit. In this way, the farmers will earn from Jatropha farming, farm workers will have employment and small rural enterprises will sell or purchase the seeds.

Small-scale industries will grow for oil production and diesel fuel production would further provide business opportunities. Bio-products like press cake will be traded by villages, energy employment and earning will go together and marginal lands / cultivable wastelands will be utilised.

�The summary of the project has been sent to the Planning Commission for concept clearance so that work on it is processed further with donor agencies,� an official said.

The Zarai bank will play a vital role in promotion of alternate energy source through increase lending for cultivation of crops like Jatropha, Caster, Salicornia, Sukhchayn and algae as raw material for production of biodiesel.

To start with the pilot, the bank will promote plantation of Jatropha trees over 200 hectares.