What is meant when referring to the “generation” of biofuels?

First generation biofuels are primarily created from feedstocks that have also been used as food sources, e.g. ethanol from corn and biodiesel from soybean vegetable oil or animal fats.  Second generation biofuels are made from nonfood feedstocks. e.g. cellulosic ethanol made from the cellulose or cell wall of plant cells.  Feedstocks for this next generation of biofuels include forest residues (sawdust), industry residues (pulp and paper waste), agriculture residue (corn stover), municipal waste and biomass (wheat straw and switchgrass).  Third generation biofuels will be nonfood-based feedstocks and indistinguishable from their petroleum counterparts, e.g. algae.

How much biofuel is produced in the U.S. today?

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. produced 5.4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2007.  As of March 2008, U.S. ethanol production capacity was at 7.2 billion gallons, with an additional 6.2 billion gallons of capacity under construction.  For biodiesel, annual U.S. production capacity was 2.24 billion gallons as of January 2008, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

What is biomass?

Biomass is any organic matter made from plants or animals, and includes forestry and agricultural residues, agricultural crops, animal wastes, aquatic plants, municipal and industrial wastes, and crops grown solely for energy purposes.

What is bio-power?

Biopower, or biomass power, is the use of biomass to generate electricity.  Biopower technologies include direct-firing, co-firing, gasification, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion. Most biopower plants use direct-fired systems, which means they burn biomass feedstocks directly to produce steam.  This steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator that converts the power into electricity.  In some biomass industries, the spent steam from the power plant is also used for manufacturing processes or to heat buildings.  Such combined heat and power systems greatly increase overall energy efficiency.  Paper mills, the largest current producers of biomass power, generate electricity or heat as part of the process for recovering pulping chemicals.

Are biofuels more expensive than their petroleum-based counterparts?

Because the cost of any type of fuel varies over time due to a variety of market, political, and production factors, it is difficult to say at any one time whether or not biofuels are sold for more or less than traditional petroleum-based fuels in the marketplace. On average, biofuels are generally comparable to traditional fuels in sales price, although they may be higher or lower at times, depending on gasoline and diesel prices. The non-monetary benefits of biofuels, such as environmental, national security and local-economy benefits, may also be taken into consideration by the consumer, even if they are not reflected in the cost of biofuels versus traditional fuels. For more information on current market statistics, please see the Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center or the Renewable Fuels Association.

How are biofuels created from plant material?

How a fuel is produced from plant materials can depend on a variety of factors, including the plant material being used and the fuel being produced.  In the case of ethanol, the two main conversion methods used to make ethanol from biomass are biochemical and thermochemical.  In biochemical conversion the biomass (usually corn) is separated into its component parts, starch and cellulose.  These are broken down further to multiple sugars, which are then fermented to produce ethanol.  Thermochemical conversion heats the feedstock under anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions to produce synthesis gas (syngas).  The syngas can be fermented to produce ethanol.  In the U.S., biodiesel is produced from soy beans, canola, and other agricultural products.  The oils from them are reacted with methanol to remove glycerin and produce methyl esters (commonly known as biodiesel) at a rate of 100 lbs of biodiesel produced for 10 lbs of glycerin removed from the oil. For more information on the types of biomass feedstock available and the types of fuels that can be produced from them see the Office of the Biomass Program Biomass Feedstocks Web site.

What resources or incentives are available to support biofuels development?

A number of federal tax credits and refunds are available for the production, blending, sale, or use of biofuels. See the IRS Fuel Tax Credits and Refunds page for specifics on the incentives available and how to apply.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center tracks both federal and state incentives for transportation-related topics, such as alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, and fuel efficiency.

There are also a variety of state incentives available for renewable energy in general, many of which are biomass-related. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency has information by state.

The Department of Energy makes funding for research and development related to biofuels available via competitive solicitations. All opportunities are publicly available through Grants.gov or the DOE E-Center.

The National Biomass Initiative tracks both state and federal biomass-related funding opportunities.

New initiatives at the state and federal levels, as well as expansion of the biofuels industry, have promoted many tax incentives, grants and loan opportunities, and other resources for biofuels development.  Check out any of the alternative fuels pages for facilities for more details.

Have biofuels been successful in other countries?

Biofuels have been commercially successful in several other countries.  In Brazil, ethanol from sugar cane has been so successful that 80% of 2005 production was expected to meet most of the country’s demands for transportation fuels.  In Germany, over the last 10 years consumption and production of biodiesel has increased several-fold.  In 2004, production was up 45 percent from 2003, and continued growth is expected. The Renewable Fuels Association Web site contains examples of successful biofuel production outside the United States.

What is B2, B5, B10, and B20?

Currently, all diesel fuel sold or offered for sale in the state for use in internal combustion engines must contain at least 2% biodiesel fuel by volume.  Beginning May 1, 2009, all diesel fuel must contain at least 5% biodiesel; 10% by May 1, 2012; and 20% by May 1, 2015.

What are the main state and federal agencies that oversee and regulate biofuel/bioenergy production?

State:  MPCA, Dept of Agriculture, Office of Energy Security
Federal:  EPA, Dept. of Energy, Dept. of Agriculture

Does biodiesel burn cleaner than conventional diesel?

Depending on the percentage of biodiesel included, combustion of biodiesel emits lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.  Compared to conventional diesel, emissions of nitrous oxide increase gradually as the percentage of biodiesel in the blend increases, up to about 10 percent greater at B100.

What is the difference between green diesel and biodiesel?

Biodiesel is made from plant oils (e.g. soybean oil) through a chemical process called transesterification.  “Green diesel” is diesel made from catalytic processing (traditional refining methods) of oils produced from biomass.  Both processes use oils from plants and animals instead of crude oil, making both of them “greener” than petroleum-based diesel.

Will I get lower gas mileage with ethanol-blended fuels than with traditional gasoline?

The use of higher ethanol blends may slightly reduce mileage performance in some vehicles.  However, blending ethanol can reduce the cost of gasoline and thus offset mileage loss..  In other words, your fuel costs may decrease more than the MPG loss would cost you.  So the net effect is you have more money in your pocket at the end of the day.  Plus, from an environmental standpoint, ethanol is more carbon-neutral than oil/gasoline, since growing the corn to make the ethanol takes carbon out of the air.  So your net CO2 emissions are substantially decreased.

Where can I buy biofuels?

Ethanol blends of E10 (10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline) are sold at gas stations across the U.S.  Higher blends, such as E85, may be sold at gas stations but may require modified fueling equipment. The American Lung Association has a searchable directory of gas stations that sell E85 that can be accessed here:  American Lung Association - Clean Air Choice (E85).

Also, check out the following websites for a listing of alternative fuel stations in your area or along a defined route of travel:

• Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
• National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
• National Biodiesel Board

What are blending pumps?

Gas-station pumps designed to allow consumers to dial in their specific ethanol or biodiesel blend content.  For more information, see the following article: Beginning of the Blender Pump, Ethanol Producer magazine.

What about E85

Answers to many questions about E85 can be found on the Web site of the American Lung Association’s Clear Choice program.

What are the main steps in making ethanol?

See the description on the Renewable Fuels Association Web site.

Does the volume of water used by ethanol plants affect nearby well owners?

When new ethanol facilities are proposed, MPCA environmental review staff sometimes encounter the perception that ethanol facilities use such large amounts of groundwater that they can deplete aquifers or cause nearby wells to go dry.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issues permits for water appropriations, and has procedures in place to protect aquifers and determine if pumping rates at one well are affecting water yield at another.  For more information visit the DNR’s water appropriations Web page.

What are the health risks from an ethanol plant?

The main pollutants people have voiced concerns about relate to air emissions, wastewater discharges, and odors.  Like most industrial facilities, ethanol plants do emit air pollutants and most, though not all, discharge wastewater.  Ethanol facilities must have MPCA permits for both air and water that limit pollutants so that the emissions or discharges meet state and federal standards designed to protect public health and air and water quality.  Odors were a problem for some neighbors at some early ethanol facilities, but new control technologies have eliminated most of the odor problems associated with ethanol plants.

How is ethanol cleaned up if there is a spill into the soil or ground water?

As with any industrial facility with potentials for spills, ethanol facilities are required to have spill-response plans on-site, in addition to notifying the Minnesota Duty Officer any time there is a spill. Where local fire departments have spill-response capability, they are usually the first responders and handle cleanup.  The MPCA’s Emergency Response Team provides oversight, backup, or direct response where it is needed.  Chemical fires, train derailments, pipeline breaks, tanker truck accidents, and petroleum vapors in sewers are examples of environmental and public health emergencies to which the ERT responds.  Team members also work closely with local fire and hazardous-materials responders to provide training and support.  You can learn more about the ERT at the MPCA’s Emergency Response page.

Is ethanol compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure?

Lower ethanol blends such as E10 are currently mixed with gasoline and transported, stored, and dispensed in existing infrastructure.  Higher ethanol blends, such as E85, require separate infrastructure because E85 cannot be used in all vehicles and it can corrode some materials.  The existing petroleum fuel infrastructure could be used to transport and store E85, as long as components were properly cleaned and the fuels were not mixed.  Special E85-compatible pump dispensers are available, and can be incorporated into existing fueling stations.