News
The company has secured new technology developed by David R Walker that allows for a more efficient utilization of the steam in the distillation columns and improves the production of excess power.
By using less steam for the bio-fuel process, the plant becomes more environmental and energy efficient and allows for more electricity production to be sold back to the utilitity companies.
For additional information, please contact the company.
As part of the process of creating the most advanced bio-fuel facility to date, the company continues to assess the expected Carbon Footprint of the project. The objective of the company is to implement a cost effective process to identify the total set of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) generated by the project, in order to maximize the eco-sustainable energy use.
By utilizing Enterprise Carbon Accounting (“ECA”) techniques we are able to identify critical areas on the production lifecycle of the Bio-fuel to implement sustainable solutions that will allow the company to minimize greenhouse emissions, complying and exceeding current Kyoto Protocol CO2e emissions.
The expected compliance will enable the company to issue Carbon Credit Certificates (Carbon Offsets certificates or Certified Emission Reduction CER) that can be traded in the international mandatory markets.
One area of particular interest involve the Air Quality Control Systems (“AQCS”) associated with the combined heat and power (“CHP”) units. Recently we have started discussions with GE Power regarding their AQCS technology for power generation. GE has been providing customers with advanced AQCS for over 80 years.
By implementing GE’s AQCS, we are assured to comply with today’s US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) stringent emission regulations, as well as those in the international markets.
During our discussions, we learned that GE recently acquired ALSTOM ENERGY business. ALSTOM is a leading manufacturer of Power Generators (Thermal and Renewable). Our strategic partner company in Brazil, NG Metalurgica recently signed a cooperation agreement with ALSTOM for Steam Turbines.
We expect great synergies to develop between NG Metalurgica and GE-ALSTOM that will greatly benefit the implementation of the projects.
For additional information, please contact the company.
MEXICO:
On August 29, the Mexico energy regulators published a new ethanol rule in the country’s federal registry. The new rule requires that 5.8 % ethanol be blended in the nation’s fuel supply with the exception of three major metropolitan areas (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey).
The new regulation, to be enacted immediately, requires that approximately 600 million new gallons of ethanol per year be blended for the Mexican market.
The new ethanol requirements could be produced in Mexico, Texas and/or Central America-Caribbean.
INDIA:
During August, India’s Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan outlined a plan to increase the Bio-fuel market in India 750 % by 2022.
The plan calls for a target of 5 % blending of bio-diesel and 10 % blend of ethanol in gasoline. Currently the bio-fuel industry in India is trying to achieve a 5 % blend of bio-fuels both in diesel and gasoline. The new targets require the construction of multiple new ethanol plants as well as further development of bio-fuel distribution infrastructure.
India is a world leader producer of Sugar Cane but the government is looking to boost ethanol production from alternate feed stocks.
The company is already holding preliminary discussions on these two markets.
For additional information, please contact the company.
On Wednesday May 25, the company was invited to participate as a panelist in a Bio-fuel feed stock meeting held in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica "Petrojam" commissioned an independent study to review the current and future technologies available to produce bio-fuels and the potential crops to be utilized.
Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, PHD, presented the findings during the meeting attended by multiple stakeholders. Cellulose technology bio-fuels were identified from multiple feed-stocks as a future opportunity, but the production costs are still higher than conventional bio-fuels. For the now opportunity the study zeroed-in three feed stocks, Sugar Cane, Cassava and Sorghum's. Sweet Sorghum was reported as the highest yielding cost-benefit value for the production of bio-fuels.
The company presented the business case for the advanced bio-fuel production utilizing sweet sorghum as the feed stock, receiving multiple positive comments and support by all present.
Most of the Caribbean Islands have or are in the process of implementing a Renewable Fuel Standard ("RFS"). In the case of Jamaica they have in place a 10% ("E10") blend of bio-fuel with gasoline. Recently, they have initiated discussions regarding moving public transportation to E15 and E85.
For additional information, please contact the company.
During the first week of February a Project Team consisting of Juan Briceno, Business Developing Director, Keith Holesinger, Benchmark Farm Management and James Carter, President of Capital Solutions Inc.,visited Jamaica to present to the authorities our proprietary advanced bio-fuel project utilizing Sweet Sorghum as the raw material.
After meeting with the key stakeholders for the project, including the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, SCJ Holdings, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Jampro, and visiting potential land sites, an agreement was reached for the development of the Project.
Included in the MOU are:
1. Long term lease of 9,000 acres of tillable land expandable to 18,000 acres.
2. Off Take Agreement of the biofuel with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica
3. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) agreement for the excess electricity with the Ministry of Energy
The company is now drafting and executing the details agreements in order to move to Notice to Proceed ("NTP").
We are extremely pleased and honored for the opportunity to develop the project with the people of Jamaica and to contribute to Jamaica for their renewable energy objectives.
During the trip we also held a meeting at the US Embassy in Jamaica where we learned of several funding initiatives available for renewable energy in Jamaica.
The new plant is estimated to be completed last quarter 2018.
For additional information please contact the company.
Bio-Fuel Demand Continues to Increase. EPA Boosts Amount Of Bio-fuels Required To Be Blended In US Gasoline Supply.
On Monday, The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule designed to increase the amount of Bio-fuels to be blended with gasoline through 2016. The agency mandated the use of 18 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2016. The Renewable Fuel Law reduces dependence in foreign oil and bolsters rural economies by requiring a steady increase in the overall amount of renewable bio-fuels used. The Agency also said that demand for gasoline has increased this year, increasing the amount of bio-fuels to be blended.
In addition, The U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA is also funding (US $ 100 million) the infrastructure to install E15 blending pumps at gas stations nationwide. Blending bio-fuels from 10% to 15% with gasoline will further increase demanded volumes beyond EPA requirements.
For further information please contact the company.
Due to demand for Biofuels in Central America and Caribbean, the company continues to evaluate opportunities there.
Recently we have started formal conversations to develop an Advanced Biofuel Project in Jamaica.
We had communications this month with the Jamaica Promotions Corporation "JAMPRO" and with The Government of Jamaica land management company whereby we are demonstrating the potential contribution to the economy and to a sustainable environment of our Advanced Bio-Fuel - Biomass Electricity and Bio-Jet Fuel technology.
Subjected to land availability and other negotiations taking place, the company may start predevelopment for a project in Jamaica early 2016.
For additional information, please contact the company.
This week we received a technical visit from NG Metalurgica Brazil in our offices in Clearwater, Florida.
Sergio Barreira, Director of Engineering and Fabio Zannata, Project Director for Turbines, came to review with our engineering team the equipment logistics for the upcoming project(s) in Florida and overseas.
During the visit, we received a presentation of their second generation Geared Reaction Steam Turbines and their new Ethanol Dehydration Unit (Sistema In Tech). These key new units deliver higher outputs and more efficiency than originally anticipated.
For additional information, please contact the company
During July 2015 the US Department of Energy ("DOE") announced a new program for up to four billion dollars ( USD 4 Billion ) in loans guarantees, to support renewable energy efficiency projects located in The United States. The projects must avoid, reduce, or sequester green house gases.
The company believes the advanced Bio-fuel plants qualify for this program and will facilitate commercial debt financing in the execution of multiple plants.
For additional information please contact the company.
In June 22, 2015, the company received a Term Sheet from Clean Power Capital of Mill Valley, California. The proposed funding facility is for the amount of $500 million in a combination of equity and long term debt, for the construction and development of up to five (5) Advanced Sweet Sorghum Bio-fuel facilities to be located in the State of Florida.
For additional information , please contact the company.
