AdvancedBiofuelNews Highest level of blends available under each scenario 2010 Low biofuels Medium biofuels (with butanol): 9% GHG reduction
2015
2020
2025
(gas)
5% ethanol
10% ethanol
(diesel)
5% biodiesel
7% biodiesel
(gas)
5% ethanol
(diesel)
5% biodiesel
(gas)
5% ethanol
High biofuels: 27% GHG reduction (diesel)
5% biodiesel
10% ethanol
2030
15% butanol 7% biodiesel
10% ethanol
15% butanol
24% butanol
5% drop-in biofuel
19% drop-in biofuel
7% biodiesel
5% biodiesel
7% biodiesel
4% drop-in biofuel
9% drop-in biofuel
19% drop-in biofuel
SOURCE: ELEMENT ENERGY, "THE ROLE OF BIOFUELS BEYOND 2020"
Study highlights GHG reduction potential of butanol, drop-in biofuels U.K.-based Element Energy recently published a report finding that advanced biofuels offer a more cost-effective means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 17 years, when compared to electric vehicles. The report, titled “The Role of Biofuels Beyond 2020,” was commissioned by BP. The U.K. has set targets calling for an 80 percent reduction in GHGs by 2050 when compared to a 2050 baseline. While electric plug-in and hydrogen vehicles are expected to play a significant role in realizing GHG reductions in the long term, the analysis
shows that the vehicle fleet will continue to be dominated by vehicles with internal combustion engines through at least 2030, which means biofuels will play an important role in meeting emissions goals. The analysis considers three scenarios. A “low biofuels” case in which conventional biofuels are blended at E10 and B7, a “medium biofuels” case assuming E20 and an increasing share of cellulosic ethanol, and a “high biofuels” case that considers the impact of blending butanol and drop-in biofuels at high rates.
NextFuels revives hydrothermal technology, plans test facilities
California-based NextFuels has unveiled its strategy to produce advanced biofuels from wet, unprocessed agricultural waste via a hydrothermal process originally developed by Shell in the 1980s. The company is currently focused on converting agricultural waste from palm oil production in Southeast Asia into
28 BIOMASS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013
drop-in coal and petroleum replacements. The technology processes biomass within liquid water at temperatures of 300 to 330 degrees Celsius and pressure of 200 to 230 atmospheres, producing a putty-like GreenCrude. The GreenCrude can either be burned as a coal replacement, or further
refined into transportation fuels. NextFuels is in the process of designing and assembling a pilot plant in the Netherlands. The facility is expected to be operational by the second quarter of next year. The company also plans to construct a demonstration plant in Asia.