Fuel of the Future
Citizen Times 4/15/07
Fuel of the future
State aims for 10 percent of fuel supply to come from local crops
by Dale Neal, DNEAL@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published April 15, 2007 12:15 am
Read 2 comments » e-mail this Print this
ASHEVILLE — Western North Carolina, like the rest of the state, could take the first steps toward energy independence in the next decade, pumping homegrown fuel for vehicles instead of importing foreign oil.
Web Extras: Multimedia & Related Content
Paul Knott of the BioNetwork's BioBusiness Center at A-B Tech discusses the need for more biofuel planning with AC-T staff writer Dale Neal. (2,301 KB)
North Carolina's Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership. (99 KB)
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Some mountain motorists are already filling up with biodiesel at three stations in Buncombe County and one in Jackson County, with more stations due to open pumps by summer. But local manufacturers still have their work cut out for them, according to an ambitious strategic plan unveiled last week in Raleigh.
A study group proposed that North Carolina should have 10 percent of its liquid fuels come from crops grown and produced in the state by 2017. That’s means creating at least 500 million gallons of biofuel per year — 10 percent of the 5 billion to 6 billion gallons of petroleum-based fuel now used annually in North Carolina.
“In the next 10 years, that’s going to take a lot of work, but it’s doable,” said Brian Winslett of Blue Ridge Biofuels. “It’s going to be four or five years before all the players to really increase statewide production.”
Blue Ridge has joined with the Triangle Council of Governments for a $595,000 federal grant that will expand pumps statewide. Winslett said Blue Ridge will handle the installation of five more biodiesel pumps, as well as three new ethanol pumps, over the next two years in Western North Carolina.
In Dillsboro, Smoky Mountain Biofuels opened its plant in November and provides biodiesel to Jackson County’s fleet of trucks and buses, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Consumers can also pump a blend of the locally made fuel into their diesel engines at a station on Old Cullowhee Road, said co-founder Alan Begley.
“We think it’s a highly aggressive plan,” Begley said of the state’s 10-year strategy.
“We are personally trying to rise and meet the challenge.”
Smoky Mountain has struck a 10-year contract with Mountain Energy to provide biodiesel at 23 area gas stations, including several in Buncombe County. The National Biodiesel Board shows about 25 stations pumping the alternative fuel statewide. “With us bringing on another 23 stations by the summer, that’s quite an increase,” Begley said.
The current plant at the Jackson County Green Energy Park can produce up to 1 million gallons annually, but Begley and his partner, Sam Grey, hope to ratchet that up to 3 million. And the company is negotiating to open an even larger plant in the region that could produce up to 10 million gallons annually.
Rising fuel costs
“I don’t think anyone disagrees with the need to do something. I think the $3 at the pump last summer awakened a lot of folks to the need to do this,” said Paul Knott of the BioNetwork’s BioBusiness Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Knott served on the 35-member steering committee, which produced the report.
Leaders will have to work on both the supply and demand for biofuels in the state. Right now, most use cars use only petroleum products. More consumers will have to buy new diesel engine or flex-fuel vehicles to take advantage of biodiesel or ethanol, Knott said.
North Carolina will have to find the right crops to use as feedstocks especially for ethanol, explained Steven Burke of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, who presented the strategic plan to legislators.
“The strategic plan is very clear. North Carolina can’t grow enough corn to make a measurable difference,” Burke said.
Rather than increasing demand on staple crops, like corn and soybeans, that are part of the food supply for humans and livestock producers, the report recommends at least $25 million for research into new crops that can be grown statewide.
The report suggests looking at “cellulosic ethanol,” a fuel that could be make from barley, soybeans, sweet potatoes and switchgrass, or even wood waste.
The best bet in Western North Carolina seems to be winter canola, a cover crop that can be grown year round, said Winslett.
Another solution may be taking biomass from algae grown on pools for wastewater treatment.
There are also bills before the General Assembly to give producers a credit on the state excise tax on diesel fuel, which could make biodiesel more competitive with regular diesel, Winslett said.
“It’s pretty clear that it wouldn’t hurt both the environment or the economy to have less reliance on oil,” said Knott who said the 10 percent goal for locally produced biofuel is possible.
“I’m an optimist, but doing nothing is really foolish.”
Types of fuels
BIODIESEL: A fuel derived from vegetable oils, like soybeans, which can be used in any diesel engine without modification. Biodiesel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. As a natural lubricant, it can extend the life of a diesel engine. Many people confuse biodiesel, which can run in any diesel engine, with straight vegetable oil that can be burned in specially equipped cars. The kits to run straight vegetable oil can cost up to $3,500.
Biodiesel is sold locally as B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel, which will not be affected by winter temperatures.
To locate stations statewide, visit www.biodiesel.org.
E85: An alternative fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is already used as an additive in many gasoline blends. To find regional pumps, visit www.e85refueling.com.
Citizen Times 4/15/07
Fuel of the future
State aims for 10 percent of fuel supply to come from local crops
by Dale Neal, DNEAL@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published April 15, 2007 12:15 am
Read 2 comments » e-mail this Print this
ASHEVILLE — Western North Carolina, like the rest of the state, could take the first steps toward energy independence in the next decade, pumping homegrown fuel for vehicles instead of importing foreign oil.
Web Extras: Multimedia & Related Content
Paul Knott of the BioNetwork's BioBusiness Center at A-B Tech discusses the need for more biofuel planning with AC-T staff writer Dale Neal. (2,301 KB)
North Carolina's Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership. (99 KB)
Advertisement
Some mountain motorists are already filling up with biodiesel at three stations in Buncombe County and one in Jackson County, with more stations due to open pumps by summer. But local manufacturers still have their work cut out for them, according to an ambitious strategic plan unveiled last week in Raleigh.
A study group proposed that North Carolina should have 10 percent of its liquid fuels come from crops grown and produced in the state by 2017. That’s means creating at least 500 million gallons of biofuel per year — 10 percent of the 5 billion to 6 billion gallons of petroleum-based fuel now used annually in North Carolina.
“In the next 10 years, that’s going to take a lot of work, but it’s doable,” said Brian Winslett of Blue Ridge Biofuels. “It’s going to be four or five years before all the players to really increase statewide production.”
Blue Ridge has joined with the Triangle Council of Governments for a $595,000 federal grant that will expand pumps statewide. Winslett said Blue Ridge will handle the installation of five more biodiesel pumps, as well as three new ethanol pumps, over the next two years in Western North Carolina.
In Dillsboro, Smoky Mountain Biofuels opened its plant in November and provides biodiesel to Jackson County’s fleet of trucks and buses, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Consumers can also pump a blend of the locally made fuel into their diesel engines at a station on Old Cullowhee Road, said co-founder Alan Begley.
“We think it’s a highly aggressive plan,” Begley said of the state’s 10-year strategy.
“We are personally trying to rise and meet the challenge.”
Smoky Mountain has struck a 10-year contract with Mountain Energy to provide biodiesel at 23 area gas stations, including several in Buncombe County. The National Biodiesel Board shows about 25 stations pumping the alternative fuel statewide. “With us bringing on another 23 stations by the summer, that’s quite an increase,” Begley said.
The current plant at the Jackson County Green Energy Park can produce up to 1 million gallons annually, but Begley and his partner, Sam Grey, hope to ratchet that up to 3 million. And the company is negotiating to open an even larger plant in the region that could produce up to 10 million gallons annually.
Rising fuel costs
“I don’t think anyone disagrees with the need to do something. I think the $3 at the pump last summer awakened a lot of folks to the need to do this,” said Paul Knott of the BioNetwork’s BioBusiness Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Knott served on the 35-member steering committee, which produced the report.
Leaders will have to work on both the supply and demand for biofuels in the state. Right now, most use cars use only petroleum products. More consumers will have to buy new diesel engine or flex-fuel vehicles to take advantage of biodiesel or ethanol, Knott said.
North Carolina will have to find the right crops to use as feedstocks especially for ethanol, explained Steven Burke of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, who presented the strategic plan to legislators.
“The strategic plan is very clear. North Carolina can’t grow enough corn to make a measurable difference,” Burke said.
Rather than increasing demand on staple crops, like corn and soybeans, that are part of the food supply for humans and livestock producers, the report recommends at least $25 million for research into new crops that can be grown statewide.
The report suggests looking at “cellulosic ethanol,” a fuel that could be make from barley, soybeans, sweet potatoes and switchgrass, or even wood waste.
The best bet in Western North Carolina seems to be winter canola, a cover crop that can be grown year round, said Winslett.
Another solution may be taking biomass from algae grown on pools for wastewater treatment.
There are also bills before the General Assembly to give producers a credit on the state excise tax on diesel fuel, which could make biodiesel more competitive with regular diesel, Winslett said.
“It’s pretty clear that it wouldn’t hurt both the environment or the economy to have less reliance on oil,” said Knott who said the 10 percent goal for locally produced biofuel is possible.
“I’m an optimist, but doing nothing is really foolish.”
Types of fuels
BIODIESEL: A fuel derived from vegetable oils, like soybeans, which can be used in any diesel engine without modification. Biodiesel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. As a natural lubricant, it can extend the life of a diesel engine. Many people confuse biodiesel, which can run in any diesel engine, with straight vegetable oil that can be burned in specially equipped cars. The kits to run straight vegetable oil can cost up to $3,500.
Biodiesel is sold locally as B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel, which will not be affected by winter temperatures.
To locate stations statewide, visit www.biodiesel.org.
E85: An alternative fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is already used as an additive in many gasoline blends. To find regional pumps, visit www.e85refueling.com.