Biofuels

Biofuels can fuel vehicles and engines or be used in fuel cells for electricity generation. A variety of fuels can be made from biomass resources including liquid fuels: ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch diesel; and gaseous fuels: hydrogen and methane.

Contents	Biofuels expert
General Information	Jocie Iszler
Policies & Incentives	Director
Research & Publications	MAEN
Case Studies	iszler@midwestagenergy.net

General Information

Biofuels FAQ – CERTs

Biofuels Resources – U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

E85 Ethanol Information – Minnesota Department of Commerce

Clean Fuels: Developing Fuels to Benefit Minnesota’s Environment and Economy – Minnesota Department of Commerce
A brochure written by the Minnesota Department of Commerce includes descriptions of biodiesel as well as several other clean fuels, including ethanol and hydrogen.

Renewable Fuels Center – American Lung Association of Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture has been instrumental in supporting the ethanol industry in the state, and its staff are a wealth of information on ethanol. For more info, contact: Ralph Groschen, Agriculture Marketing Specialist, 651.297.2223, Ralph.Groschen@state.mn.us.

The Biofuels FAQS – Energy Future Coalition
This frequently asked questions guide attempts to cut through much of the current debate over the use of biofuels in transportation by providing basic facts and benefits.

School Transportation Issues FAQ – CERTs

Policies & Incentives

Pipeline Routing & Permiting – Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
The MN Public Utilities Commission has responsibility for the site and route permitting of certain energy facilities, including pipelines of six inches or more in diameter that carry hazardous liquids, such as crude oil or petroleum products, and gas pipelines designed for pressure of more than 275 pounds per square inch.

National Biodiesel Board
Wide range of materials on biodiesel, from technical to economic and policy issues. Biodiesel basics, updates on current legislation and projects.

The National Corn Growers Association
Information on Ethanol and the Farm Bill.

IRS Approves 610 Clean Renewable Energy Bond Applications – ILSR New Rules Project
In November of 2006, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that 610 projects were given the authority to issue Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) to help finance renewable energy development across the country. State and local governments and municipal and cooperative utilities were eligible to apply. The majority of projects supported were for solar facilities. Read the article to learn more.

Research & Publications

Farm-scale Oil Extraction & Sustainable Uses for Oil and Meal – UMN RSDP and Partners (Summer 2008)
As oil prices hover around $140/barrel, farmers are expressing interest in farm-based biofuel production to provide energy security and control of production costs. This project is focused on farm-scale opportunities to press oil from oilseed crops, specifically canola and sunflower, and utilize the products on-farm as an economically viable replacement for diesel fuel and livestock feed. The report is the result of work by many partners, including the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; UMN Extension; UM-Crookston; UMN Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership; Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Northwest Minnesota Foundation; Clean Energy Resource Teams; Pembina Trail Resource Conservation and Development; farmers Kraig Lee, Steve Dahl, and Glen Nelson; and contributors Paul Aakre, Derek Crompton, Seth Fore, Linda Kingery, Harouna Maiga, Paul Porter.

Transportation Policy and Technology Options to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Minnesota – Center for Transportation Studies
The result of a 13-month study, this report shows that E20—-a blend of fuel containing 80 percent gasoline and 20 percent ethanol—-has no negative impact on the drivability and maintenance of late-model cars and trucks, among other findings.

Biomass for Electricity Generation – U.S. Department of Energy
This report assesses the future of ethanol from various feedstocks. Includes overview of ethanol production from cellulose and a history of ethanol.

Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI)
AURI was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to open the Center for Producer-Owned Energy, which will assist renewable-energy projects initiated by producers. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, the Center will focus on such technologies as biodiesel, ethanol, and biomass-generated electricity as well as on finding new uses for energy coproducts such as distiller’s dry grains. For more information, contact: Michael Sparby, Morris office, 320-582-7280, msparby@auri.org.

Carbohydrate Economy
This Web site is a clearing house of resources on ethanol and other carbohydrate-based fuels.

Center for Diesel Research – University of Minnesota
The Center conducts research on the potential of biodiesel to generate electricity. For more info, contact: Kelly Strebig, 651.457.1404, streb002@umn.edu.

Use of Biodiesel in a Transit Fleet: A Synthesis of Transit Practice – Tranist Research Board – 2007
This report, part of the Transit Cooperative Research Program and funded by the Federal Transit Administration, is of interest to transit agency managers, maintenance and operation staffs, and other professionals involved in developing a program to actively manage the implementation of biodiesel fuel and its use in a bus transit fleet. It documents a full range of benefits offered by biodiesel with the thought that once the subject is understood, transit agencies can make informed decisions regarding its use.

The Biodiesel Plant Development Handbook – Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Minnesota has a growing biodiesel industry, highlighted by several producer-owned plants and more than 60 million gallons of annual production capacity. While the industry is in a growing phase, that growth needs to be controlled. An AURI-sponsored report focuses on the current status and future possibilities for the industry in Minnesota.

Biofuels: Brazil and the USA – Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas

Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative – Great Plains Institute
An affiliate of the National Hydrogen Association, this Initiative focuses on the research and development of hydrogen fuel cells as a renewable fuel in the Upper Midwest. Provide news, reports, and numerous links.

Farm Applications for Solar Power – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
The Information Service provides a number of great publications and case studies, from solar livestock watering to solar greenhouses. Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm is their more comprehensive resource.