Conestoga Vitality and SAFFiRE Renewables announce strategic settlement for pilot cellulosic ethanol plant in Liberal, Kansas.
Conestoga Vitality (“Conestoga”) and SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC (“SAFFiRE Renewables” or “SAFFiRE”) introduced in the present day their settlement for Conestoga to host SAFFiRE’s cellulosic ethanol pilot plant at Conestoga’s Arkalon Vitality ethanol facility in Liberal, Kansas.
The SAFFiRE pilot venture goals to validate and show the commercialization of SAFFiRE’s corn-stover-to-ethanol know-how in a totally built-in pilot facility that processes 10 tons of corn stover per day. Each Conestoga and SAFFiRE are targeted on producing ultra-low carbon depth (CI) ethanol to be used in renewable fuels, making this a synergistic relationship.
The cellulosic ethanol from the SAFFiRE pilot venture and potential future industrial amenities is deliberate to be upgraded to ultra-low CI sustainable aviation gasoline (SAF) in help of the aviation trade’s decarbonization efforts.
SAF is gasoline produced from non-fossil gasoline sources that can lead to decrease greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions than typical jet gasoline on a lifecycle foundation. SAF is a drop-in gasoline when blended with typical jet gasoline and is essential to decarbonizing aviation.
SAF’s decrease carbon depth makes it an vital a part of lowering aviation GHG emissions, which make up 9%–12% of U.S. transportation GHG emissions, based on the U.S. Environmental Safety Company.
Tom Willis, CEO of Conestoga Vitality stated:
Conestoga is happy to work with SAFFiRE Renewables on this transformative alternative.
“This settlement ties in effectively with Conestoga’s wealthy historical past of offering carbon lowering and web zero options within the bioethanol area.”
“As a way to attain said web zero carbon emission targets by 2050, the aviation trade must embrace SAF. SAFFiRE cellulosic ethanol know-how is deliberate to supply ethanol that may be upgraded to SAF that may be cost-competitive with conventional fossil-based jet gasoline. Conestoga is proud to be a component this subsequent huge step for each the Ethanol and Aviation industries.”
Tom Nealon, CEO of SAFFiRE Renewables stated:
An amazing quantity of engineering and web site design work has been accomplished and we’re assured that this pilot plant would be the first step towards scaling and commercializing the conversion of corn stover to cellulosic ethanol, which SAFFiRE plans to transform to sustainable aviation gasoline via the alcohol-to-jet pathway.
“That is good for the corn growers, it’s good for ethanol producers, and it’s good for the host communities and the aviation trade. Our pilot plant web site choice course of was rigorous, and Conestoga exceeded all of our necessities and continues to show that they’re an excellent companion.”.
About Conestoga Vitality
With workplaces in Liberal, Kansas and Southlake, Texas, Conestoga is a renewable vitality firm targeted on offering the bottom carbon, sustainable biofuel, and associated bio-alcohol and ingredient options. Conestoga owns two ethanol crops in southwest Kansas and manages over 200+ million gallons per 12 months together with associated co-products throughout Kansas and Texas.
Conestoga has been capturing CO2 at its two Kansas crops for over 14 years primarily for Enhanced Oilfield Restoration (EOR). To enrich its present EOR operations, Conestoga is actively executing an impartial geologic sequestration possibility in southwest Kansas.
Along with sequestering virtually 450K MT of CO2 yearly from its Kansas crops, Conestoga generates each Corn-Primarily based Ethanol (D6) and Cellulosic Biofuel (D3) RINs. To spherical out its continued deal with carbon options, Conestoga is without doubt one of the largest merchants in obligated carbon markets, together with RINs, LCFS, RGGI and CCA. For extra details about Conestoga, go to www.conestogaenergy.com.
About SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC
SAFFiRE is an acronym for Sustainable Aviation Gas From [i] Renewable Ethanol. Shaped in 2022, SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC intends to first pilot after which commercialize proprietary know-how to transform agricultural residues like corn stover into renewable ethanol.
SAFFiRE expects to solely license know-how from the Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL) and D3MAX, LLC that, when mixed, will allow the manufacturing of low-cost, low-carbon renewable ethanol.
The renewable ethanol then is deliberate to be upgraded into absolutely licensed sustainable aviation gasoline using alcohol-to-jet know-how utilized by potential SAF producers. Be taught extra at http://www.saffirerenewables.com/.
Conestoga Vitality and SAFFiRE Renewables announce strategic settlement for pilot cellulosic ethanol plant in Liberal, Kansas, LIBERAL, Kan., November 16, 2023
