Concurrent Session 2 Biofuels

Transcription

1 Concurrent Session 2 Biofuels (Minutes Summary) [Introduction] James D. Kinder (Chair), Senior Technical Fellow, Boeing Commercial Airplanes In this session, the focus of discussions is global policy, R&D and the supply chain of bio-jet fuels, and also the challenges in Japan. A new specification known as ASTM D7566 has been developed and it has 5 annexes. Many kinds of feedstocks like oils, biomass, plant sugars and others can provide biofuel. In 2018 or 2019, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are anticipating the approval of a kind of biofuel which has already been reviewed by fuel providers. [Presentations 1] Sustainable Aviation Fuels: State of the Industry & Fuel Policy Presentation for ICEF Elizabeth Wood, Regional Director, North America and Asia Pacific Environmental Strategy, Boeing Commercial Airplanes In the aviation industry, there has been a 90% reduction in noise and a 70% reduction in the CO2 footprint of these airplanes, but this is not enough. OEMs, airlines, and all of the stakeholders came together in 2008 and put forward a multi-faceted strategy to address ambitious carbon emissions reductions goals, which was the global policy at the time. Since biofuels must be blended with petroleum, using it requires no changes to an airplane s engines or fueling infrastructure, which is critical for ensuring system-wide adoption of these fuels. As the chair mentioned, 5 pathways have been approved since 2011, but the supply of biofuels is not enough and better parity on incentives is needed. Since High Freeze Point HEFA (HEFA+) is used in ground transportation, and given the incentives currently in the USA and Europe, the price of this biofuel is closer than ever to that of jet fuel. It is now up to governments and the global community to ensure the mechanisms to create the fertile landscape to commercialize biofuel. 1

2 Bioenergy Technologies Office Valerie Reed, Deputy Director, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy, U.S.A. There are biofuels in the market, both cellulosic ethanol as well as some hydrocarbon fuels, thanks to excellent industrial partners such as Boeing. Without these partners, any efforts in public R&D by Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) could not be successful. Advanced biofuels have the potential to enable the USA to help develop renewable fuels that can eliminate approximately 10% of USA carbon emissions and up to 27% of current petroleum use in the USA. The Biomass R&D Board released the report Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy, which has convinced us that the USA can produce 1 billion tons of biomass, not including algae, by In 2017, an action plan is being developed that will help us develop a roadmap that the federal government can follow in order to realize the vision by The most significant challenge remains the cost and variability of the feedstock supply. The future goal is also to be cost competitive so it is necessary to, therefore, aim at $2 a gallon. Key developments in the Biojet supply chain Eline Schapers, Head of Supply & Operations, SkyNRG Since the first piloted flight using biofuel took place in 2008, there has been a huge amount of work done by the industry, and as of today, there have been more than 40,000 flights that have flown on bio-jet fuel. SkyNRG is a supplier of sustainable jet fuel that has supplied more than 20 airlines throughout the world. Multiple co-funding mechanisms have been set up, in which big companies and ministries take part and commit to paying a certain contribution, which greatly helps to develop the market. The developments of the key supply chain are permanent production, fully integrated down-stream logistics and the cooperation of companies from throughout the aviation value chain around the world. Three things that are important to focus on to accelerate the future towards sustainable aviation globally and in Japan are regional supply chains, the building of efficient and downstream logistics systems, and the cooperation between the industry and the respective governments. Governments can and should play an important role in ensuring a stable bio-jet policy and in supporting the research necessary to commercialize the market. 2

3 [Discussion 1] The main topics of discussion were the following: - Blending ratio: it was pointed out that 50% was a conservative value and moving beyond 50% blend and permitting related technologies was considered. Regional supply chain: it was noted that regional supply chains could offer a good, affordable solution in the short to medium term since bio-jet fuel facilities and areas of demand were close to each other. It was also noted that regional supply chains became more economical in some countries where they are producing fuel in that country and not having to buy and trade in other currencies, or when a price was put on carbon. [Presentations 2] Introduction of latest activities on Bio-het fuels in Japan Takahisa Yano, Project Manager, New Energy Technology Department, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) In Japan, technological development concerning bio-jet fuel has advanced and layer introduction is expected around In 2015, the committee for the introduction of bio-jet fuel for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo was established, which is aiming to realize the first commercial flight in Japan during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. From 2017, NEDO is starting a 4-year project lasting until 2020 focusing on developing a bio-jet fuel production system, in which NEDO will concentrate on producing a consistent production system and technology for industrialization. On the other hand, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) is going to push back the installation of fuel blending facilities and certification facilities of bio-jet fuel from 2018 to U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that the jet fuel price in 2030 will be about $1 per liter; therefore the target price of the NEDO project is intended to be near this $1 per liter mark around 2030 as well. Development of Once-through Process of Biomass Gasification and FT Synthesis Yasuhiro Yamauchi, General Manager, Boiler Technology Development Department, Boiler Technology Integration Division, Engineering Headquarters, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. 3

4 Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) has teamed with Toyo Engineering Corp. (TOYO), Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (CEPCO), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to propose NEDO s bio-jet fuel project. Since bio-jet fuel production is about 80 liters per day, the bio-jet fuel is based on ASTM regulations. The basic design and detailed design will be finalized by the middle of 2018 with construction of the plant to be subsequently carried out, finished around the middle of ,000 liters of bio-jet fuel will be produced for combustion testing and the first long-term demonstration line, followed by 7,500 liters for the long term. The features of MHPS s biomass gasification include a simple system, a wide capacity range according to its biomass supply capacity and so on. It is necessary to consider both technical development and preparation for relevant rules and social concessions. With both of these conditions established, this business could go far on the commercial stage. Since biomass is widely distributed in Japan, a local network of bio-jet fuel is necessary and small capacity biomass to liquid (BTL) production plans are needed. Development of Bio Jet Fuel with Microalgae Mamiko Saito, Manager, Corporate Business Development Division, IHI Corporation Through IHI s bio-jet fuel production process, biomass algae itself is produced and oil is extracted from the algae, converted to jet fuel. In other words, solar energy and CO2 are converted to fuel using algae merely as a kind of tool. IHI focuses on microalgae because of the higher yield per area than corn, soybeans and other palm oils. To meet costs and an energy balance, IHI also focuses on a microalga called botryococcus braunii because more than 50% of its makeup is oil and the oil is a hydrocarbon rather than a fatty acid which other plants usually produce. Utilizing the characteristics of the botryococcus, a low-cost and low energy process can be developed. A robust industrial operation also is being developed, so although there are still many issues to overcome, the technology could be promising and the demands of the market could be met. Overview of our biofuel production project Korehiro Odate, General Manager, Biofuels Business Department, euglena Co., Ltd. 4

5 Euglena intends to produce and supply biofuels, jet and diesel, domestically-produced for practical use by The company has two research laboratories: one in central Japan and one in west Japan, and the construction of biofuel demonstration refinery plants will start in Yokohama City, just 15 miles away from Haneda Airport. In the project, euglena and used cooking oil will be utilized in the demonstration refinery plant, processed and shipped to airports such as Haneda and Narita Airports. Although there are several challenges if the project is to be realized in Japan by 2020, it is expected that a new era of renewable energy will come in Japan. Emerging Technologies for Biojet Fuel Production in Japan Masayuki Inui, Group Leader, Chief Researcher, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) Both the International Civil Aviation Organization s (ICAO) target, carbon-neutral growth from 2020, and the International Air Transport Association s (IATA) target, a net reduction in CO2 emissions of 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels, will be difficult to achieve due to the use of non-bio-jet fuel, in which blending is restricted to a maximum of 50%. Therefore, 100% green jet fuel will be indispensable in achieving these targets in the future. In RITE s laboratory, two kinds of bio-jet fuel are under development. One is alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) using isobutanol while aiming at near future commercialization. The ATJ process is under development in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The other kind of bio-jet fuel is 100% green jet. The bioprocess, known as RITE Bioprocess, is higher yield, higher productivity and a simpler system than a conventional growth-dependent bioprocess. Another advantage of this process is that it is highly resistant to fermentation inhibitors. The sequential production of the jet fuel component from glucose was successfully achieved. [Discussion 2] The main topics of discussion were the following: - Target cost: it was noted that the target cost of algae oil was $1 per liter and there are some challenges to achieving this. - Sustainability of feedstock: it was noted that there are many types of feedstock in Japan, such as corn and soybeans, as well as used cooking oil, which is essentially zero-emission, from the private sector that have potential. It was also noted that biomass in Japan is expensive because it is distributed, so other biomass options 5

6 that have never been used up until now are being considered; for example, liquor and/or food waste. - Message about the challenges in Japan: It was noted that the dedication by NEDO and METI in their government support and financial commitment to the goals is important. It was also noted that the timelines in all the presentations are very aggressive. 6