RCT-LENA<\/p>\n
Adkins Energy\u2019s project sheds light on other dimensions of developing a new fuel from its fermentation CO2. In Lena, Illinois, Adkins expects to have its demonstration plant operating by late fall, says COO Bill Howell. Adkins Energy has formed a joint venture with RCT-US called RCT Lena, utilizing Polish technology from Real Carbon Tech to produce methanol or DME (dimethyl ether useable in diesel engines).<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to lower the carbon intensity score on the ethanol that we\u2019ve been making for 20-plus years, so it becomes a viable feedstock for other clean chemicals. And to diversify our product line,\u201d Howell says. He recently stepped back as CEO of Adkins Energy to focus on the new project and become CEO of RCT-US.<\/p>\n
The modular unit planned for Adkins\u2019s demonstration project is sized at 800 to 1,000 tons\/year. \u201cIt\u2019s a small unit,\u201d Howell says. \u201cA 200 ton-per-year unit was the pilot done in Warsaw, Poland, so this is the next step up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other necessary steps are underway, he says. \u201cWe are currently having the process analyzed to see what the drop in CI would be for the ethanol and also get clarification on the 45Q model and pathway created so the DOE can give us the approval.\u201d Initial indications are it will qualify for 45Q and will result in a CI reduction between 25 and 30 points. \u201cWe\u2019re still waiting for that data to be finalized, and at the same time we have a second company that will do the review and validation which will set us up to go to the DOE for approval.\u201d With Adkins\u2019s CI currently scoring a little over 50 points, the project will put Adkin\u2019s ethanol in good range for becoming a sustainable aviation fuel feedstock, Howell says.<\/p>\n
One of Howell\u2019s challenges has been sourcing renewable power. \u201cWe have all these data centers coming online that require tremendous amounts of electricity putting stress on the grid system,\u201d he says. \u201cGetting enough electricity is going to be a challenge, so we\u2019re looking at all kinds of possibilities.\u201d Adkins already has combined heat and power and claims 100% nuclear power. But while nuclear power is considered zero emission, it\u2019s not considered a qualifying source for E-fuels in Europe\u2014a target market for E-fuels. \u201cAt some point I think they\u2019ll end up switching that,\u201d he says. \u201cToday we are focused on solar, wind or hydro.\u201d Illinois, he explains, allows users to identify which power source they want to use, so as long as a utility sources one of the renewables and the renewable electricity credits are available to claim. \u201cThe issue is how much do you want to pay,\u201d Howell says, \u201cand availability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howell considers CO2 utilization a great opportunity for the ethanol industry. \u201cWe need to change our mindset from thinking about CO2 as a waste product and start recognizing the value this material has. We just have to get innovative enough to figure out how to use it properly,\u201d he says. Producers also need to recognize where they are in the organizational life cycle\u2014one he learned about in studying about a totally different sector, but could see applies to businesses. \u201cCompanies start outgrowing the business, reach a satisfying level, and then they begin to decline. Years later, they\u2019re no longer there. What we\u2019re trying to do is identify the right technology, create a new future and start the growth process all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n