US-headed advanced renewable fuel and biochemicals company Aemetis Inc. has clarified that its ‘Carbon Zero’ production plants are designed to produce biofuels, including renewable jet fuel utilizing renewable hydrogen and non-edible vegetable oils sourced from existing Aemetis plants and other sources. The 25 million (US) gallon (≈ 94.6 million litre) per annum capacity plants are designed to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) for the aviation and truck markets.
According to a statement, the Aemetis Carbon Zero 1 plant being developed in Riverbank, California (CA) is expected to utilize hydroelectric and other renewable power available onsite to produce 25 million gallons (≈ 94.6 million litres) annually of advanced renewable fuels, and other renewable byproducts.
The plant is expected to supply the aviation and truck markets with ultra-low carbon renewable fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other pollutants associated with conventional petroleum-based fuels.
The production of jet fuel and renewable diesel for the aviation and truck markets reflects our mission to reduce greenhouse gases across transportation sectors. We designed the plant to use renewable hydrogen from agricultural waste wood to add energy to non-edible renewable oil feedstocks that are produced in volume by biofuels plants, including the Aemetis Keyes 65 million gallon per year plant, and powered by electricity from hydroelectric and other renewable sources to produce our ultra-low carbon fuel, said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.
Aemetis Carbon Zero production plants commercialize patented technology exclusive to Aemetis utilizing agricultural and forest waste wood feedstocks. Carbon Zero plants are integrated with existing Aemetis production facilities to produce energy-dense renewable fuels using renewable energy and below zero carbon intensity waste feedstocks.
The plant design combines below-zero-carbon waste wood with low-carbon waste oil feedstock and zero-carbon renewable energy obtained from solar, hydroelectric, and biogas sources. Aemetis is transforming these sources of renewable energy into zero carbon and low carbon renewable fuels to power existing engines and range extender generators used in electric cars and trucks said Eric McAfee.
The Aemetis Carbon Zero 1 plant and Keyes biorefinery renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades include funding and other support from the California Energy Commission (CEC), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US Forest Service, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and PG&E Energy Efficiency Program.
