Biomass feedstock contacting, to determine feedstock availability and reliability, is an essential component of any system of renewable energy production. A key to success in this component of the operation is knowing the essentials of forward contracting and hedging of the biomass feedstock so that material is continually available and ready to use. Contracting for…
As feedstock is the single largest expense in any biofuels operation, feedstock evaluation and the risks associated with the different feedstocks must be carefully delineated. As opposed to other types of agricultural based operations, biofuels sees new feedstocks being constantly introduced to the renewable energy market. The risks, costs and benefits of each feedstock must…
The production of renewable biofuels and advanced biofuels in the U.S. still is in its infancy, with significant growth potential. These fuels — made from living or previously living substances, such as agricultural products (soybeans, corn, sugar) and fast-growing algae — only represent eight percent of 2017 U.S. transporation fuel use, according to the U.S.…
What is a renewable energy? First, an energy source that is not renewable is finite. Energy sources like petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear fuel are all finite. No more is being made. Once they are used, they are gone. On the other hand, renewable energy is any form of energy that can be produced from…
Interest in renewable energy projects, the pivot point to the transition to greater sustainability and a smaller carbon footprint, has continued to escalate among entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers around the world. The International Energy Agency is now predicting renewable energy projects such as renewable electricity generation will increase by more than one-third by 2022, the result…
Marine renewable fuels are beginning to attract a great deal of attention just like sustainable aviation fuel has done. Why is that? Much of the world’s oil supply contains about one-half percent of sulfur, which is known to cause respiratory and heart problems. For many years, price conscious ocean going vessels have been using the…
Biomass briquettes have been, until now, a source of heat that has been relied upon almost exclusively in developing countries. Now, with ever-increasing interest in making U.S. homes greener, saving energy, and developing ways to address global warming, greater attention is beginning to be focused on ways to make use of biomass briquettes in this country.…
Lignin consultants are often in high demand as ligins constitute about 30% of the non-fossil carbon available from biomass. It is a coproduct of both woody and agricultural wastes. Currently, most of the lignin collected is burned as fuel for boilers and fired heaters. Finding ways for increasing its value is critical to the economy…