Biofuels: Strong Potential

©image: John Barrie

The new federally-mandated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) calls for the United States to raise its annual biofuel production from 6.5 billion gallons per year (bgy) in 2007 to 36 bgy by the year 2022. This is a tremendous undertaking in terms of investment required, construction activity and infrastructure development. Corn ethanol alone will not suffice to reach that goal. In addition to corn ethanol’s environmental and cost shortcomings, (...) it is widely accepted by the corn industry and the federal government that U.S. corn ethanol production will not exceed approximately 15 bgy in 2022.

Source: Latin Business Chronicle

More on this topic

Development of Bio-fuel plan moves ahead in El Salvador

October 2008

The United States Government made the announcement to the companies that carried out feasibility studies.

Via tender, Arkel Sugar and Delta-T corporations will be in charge of evaluating the technical aspects of producing and storing ethanol, as well as the possibility of selling electricity to the network.

Central America Seeks to Unify Biofuel Standards

September 2010

The region is analyzing technical and environmental criteria for biofuel production.

Costa Rica's Energy Director, Gloria Vila, indicated that, "as part of the customs unification project we are trying to standardize criteria across all countries relating to biofuels".

Quality requirements for biodiesel have already been unified.

Guatemala: Ethanol Exports Fell by 26% Between 2008 and 2010

September 2011

Despite the decrease in the last two years, a rebound is expected towards the end of 2011.

A reduction in the production of sugar cane and molasses was one of the main reasons for decreased production of ethanol, and consequently exports.
Guatemala is the largest exporter of ethanol in Central America, with 1.5 million liters being produced per day.

Oranges Enter Biofuel Business

March 2009

Orange scraps show the promise of producing ethanol at reasonable prices and Central America, a leading producer of citrus, can benefit.

For several years, the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture in the United States has been carrying out a project to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of producing ethanol from orange juice processing leftovers which are now almost given away.