Page 64 - World Airnews Magazine May 2021 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

US RENEWABLE FUELS MARKET

COULD FACE FEEDSTOCK DEFICIT

By Stephanie Kelly
to Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook. By
2024, that's expected to grow to 12.23 quadrillion Btu, or 12.5%,
Demand for feedstocks from renewable fuel producers is of total energy consumption.
expected to surge in the United States in coming years as compa-
nies scramble to expand output. RENEWABLE PRODUCTION ON THE RISE
Energy from material that comes from plants and animals, or Biomass can make fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel,
biomass, currently accounts for roughly 5% of U. energy use, sustainable aviation fuel and ethanol.
slightly more than wind and solar energy. Most US energy use is Renewable diesel production capacity is expected to nearly
still based around fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. quintuple to about 2.65 billion gallons (63 million barrels) by 2024,
The United States and other nations are attempting to reduce investment bank Goldman Sachs said in October.
overall carbon emissions and cut use of high-polluting fossil fuels. But that would require an additional 17 billion pounds of
Refiners, farmers and agricultural giants are hoping to gain a
foothold in fuel supply through production of fuels made from feedstock, creating friction between existing biodiesel and food
biomass. customers, the report said.
But biomass-based fuel production could face limits, as farmers The United States produced 533 million gallons of renewable
need to harvest more soy and other products to meet growing diesel in 2020, according to a Reuters analysis of Environmental
demand, while companies that collect and process animal fats or Protection Agency data.
spent cooking oil also would need to expand. US biodiesel production is roughly 110,000 barrels per day,
Fuels such as biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable according to the Energy Information Administration's Annual
aviation fuel draw from the same feedstock pool, and analysts Energy Outlook, dwarfed by oil refineries, which last year had an
have warned there might not be enough lower-carbon intensive operable crude distillation capacity of around 19 million barrels
feedstock to keep up. per day, according to EIA.
Demand for soybean oil alone is expected to far outstrip supply While biodiesel requires around 7.5 pounds of feedstock per
by 2023, according to a BMO Capital Markets report from October gallon, renewable diesel needs about 8.5 pounds per gallon,
2020. The financial services provider estimates an incremental Goldman Sachs said. They estimate a 13-billion pound feedstock
demand of 8 billion pounds of soybean oil by 2023 because of an deficit by 2024 as more processing capacity starts up. Sustainable
increase in renewable diesel production. aviation fuel production will further increase demand for
"The feedstock issue is going to be an enormous problem. renewable feedstock.
Dealing with this matter is going to be hard," said Robert Though other, lower-carbon intensive feedstocks like tallow
Campbell, head of oil products research at Energy Aspects. and used cooking oil are gaining traction because of government
Renewable energy made up 9.11 quadrillion British thermal incentives, producers still rely mostly on corn and soybean oil to
units, or 9.8%, of the total energy consumption in 2020, according make biofuels. Q

DRONES

DJI: ALL THE RUMOURS SO FAR

it appears that the next-generation of inside source has revealed the new Air 2S
the Mavic Air 2 has already appeared on will be compatible with V2 goggles for First
DJI’s new drone, the Air 2S, is slated shelves in at least one North Carolina Best Person View flying experience.
to be released soon (we think.) But as Buy. In the Best Buy locations at which DroneDJ also says that a leaked promo
usual when the world’s biggest drone the Air 2S has appeared, rumour has it, video indicates that DJI’s new drone comes
the “Fly More” package is selling for (US)
manufacturer releases a new product, $1299 - which answers one of the most with two new sensors on top - possibly for
there have been plenty of rumours, leaks asked questions about DJI’s new drone. obstacle avoidance; and DJI’s AirSense,
and guesses about exactly what the newest DJI‘s marketing campaign leading up to the ADS-B signal detection system that DJI
previously said would be included in all
product will offer. tomorrow’s release is “Get Ready for the new models released after 2020.
Here’s a summary of what we know so ONE.” The tagline has led to speculation, An inexpensive, lightweight drone
far. based on pictures of the drone’s packaging with increasingly improved imaging
“The DJI Air 2S leaks have now turned gleaned from the appearance in Best Buy, and a curated selection of DJI’s newest
into something of a torrent, with a few that the Air 2S will offer a 20 MP 1-inch technology developments sounds about
different sources appearing to reveal sensor, which could offer image quality on like what the industry has come to expect
the incoming drone’s design, specs and par with the Mavic 2 Pro offering. from DJI new releases. If the rumours are
possible release date,” said TechRadar. DJI’s last big announcement was of their true, the Air 2S will be big news when it
While nothing is official until it’s official, FPV offering: and DroneDJ suggests that an launches officially. Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2021
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