RIN Generation from New Technologies

RIN generation in new biotechnologies? Most developers of new biofuels technologies need an opinion about the generation of renewable identification numbers (RINs), the credits used for compliance under the EPA Renewable Fuels Standard.  There are two issues any expert will need to assist in providing an opinion to a developer.  The first hurdle is to make a determination as to whether the fuel meets the definition of a “transportation fuel,” under RFS.  This normally means whether the fuel is gasoline or additive, biomass-based diesel, alcohol additive for fuels, jet fuel, or heating oil.  The next determination is whether both the feedstock and technology meet the EPA requirements for generating these RINS. If the output does not meet the definition of a “fuel” under the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard, it might be that an expert can assist a developer in determining how the output can be changed to meet the definition.

The EPA requires that the fuel be able to be used in, or as a replacement for, gasoline, diesel, heating oil [not for process heat], or jet fuel.  There is also a defined use for biogas and landfill gas-to-power.  In many cases, this rule is misunderstood as it sometimes encompasses fuels that are not considered transportation fuels like electricity or certain gas or gas-liquid fuels. Sometimes a developer is at the doorstep of being able to be labeled a “transportation fuel”, but has not quite met all the requirements.  A good expert may be able to recommend how the renewable fuel could be upgraded, or changed in some manner, to become a qualified “fuel” able to generate RINs.  Equally important is the determination that there is no path for the operation to generate a renewable fuel that will qualify to generate RINS, as this will make a significant financial impact on the income projections and profitability.

Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) offers a wide range of services in biofuels (including RIN generation advice), biochemicals, biotechnologies, biomaterials, synthetic biology commercialization, feedstocks, and hemp/cannabis.  The company has business and financial services like due diligence, feedstock availability, grants and loans, and bio market research.  The company also offers technical and engineering-related services like techno-economic analysis, environmental evaluations, feasibility studies, risk analysis, and expert witness engagements.   The company also has strategic partnerships in place to assist clients with insurance, legal, accounting, plant fabrication, feedstock procurement.   With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting also has experts in anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid-state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag-biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen.   This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one-stop shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.

Look at our 150+ experts and the services we provide.  Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact.  See the video about LEC here.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.