PLEASE NOTE: Agenda is subject to revision. Speakers will be confirmed closer to conference time.
Day 1 – February 17, 2016
8:20am Welcome and Introduction
Jim Lane, Editor and Publisher, The Digest
8:30am The Drivers: What’s up in Policy? The Associations outline the work and the year ahead.
In this session, we examine the policy landscape for fuels, chemicals, biomaterials and feedstocks. Our DC-based trade group leaders look at the RFS, LCFS, incentives, tax credits, Post-Paris low-carbon policy, pathway approval, and more.
Moderator: Doug Faulkner, President and Founder, Leatherstocking LLC
Panelists:
Matt Carr, Executive Director, Algae Biomass Organization
Brent Erickson, Executive Vice-President, Biotechnology Industry Organization
Brooke Coleman, Executive Director, Advanced Biofuels Business Council
Anne Steckel, VP-policy, National Biodiesel Board
9:50am The Hot 50 Address:
A Carbon Smart Future: Transitioning to A Circular Economy
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech
Post Paris we must:
-Innovate
-Ensure a diversity of solutions
-Facilitate and accelerate public private partnerships to get steel in the ground/move beyond the lab.
Ms. Holmgren will examine the driving forces and prospects for “A Carbon Smart Future” and how and why we must achieve it.
10:15am Networking and Refreshment break
11:00am The Bioeconomy: Hard Data, Real Perspectives. The experts outline what’s growing, where, when, why.
In this session, we size the Bioeconomy and its growth opportunities. Feedstocks, fuels, vehicles, energy usage, infrastructure, chemicals, fuels and biomaterials markets, feedstock availability, and pricing.
Successes and Milestones in the Bioeconomy
William Brown, Senior Analyst, Economist, Energy Information Administration
This session examines what data reveals about recent history and near term trends of existing and advanced biofuels. Learn what to expect from EIA’s soon to be released ethanol by rail data.
Additional presentations by:
Laurence Eaton, Research Economist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Mario Portela, Operating Partner, Texas Pacific Group ART
Denis Lucquin, Managing Director, Sofinnova Partners
Don’t Worry, Oil Prices Won’t Stay Low Forever
Pavel Molchanov, SVP, Raymond James
The brutal 18-month downturn for the global oil market has had a spillover effect across the biofuel space. As the old saying goes, the cure for low oil prices is… low oil prices. The oil industry’s painful and protracted austerity carries the seeds of an oil price recovery over the next year. As non-OPEC supply declines and demand remains robust, prices are likely to rebound into the $60s in the second half of 2016, rising into the $70s in 2017. We examine the trends, driving forces and dynamics of Oil Price Recovery in this presentation.
12:35 Hot 40 Address
Lee Edwards, CEO, Virent
12: 50pm Luncheon and Networking
2:10pm The RENEWABLE CHEMICALS & BIOMATERIALS SUMMIT I
Development and deployment of C1 to C4 molecules and their markets
In this session, we look at technologies utilizing CO2 and dextrose to make organic acids, n-butanol, BDO and butadiene among other advanced products.
Presentations by:
Sean Sutcliffe, CEO, Green Biologics
Christophe Schilling, CEO, Genomatica
3:15pm Official Top 100 Leaders in the Advanced Bioeconomy 2016 ceremonies
3:30pm Networking and Refreshment break
4:00pm ADVANCED BIOFUELS I
Rapid Deployment of commercial-scale drop-in fuels
In this session, we look at technologies readying for commercial deployment that offer drop-in fuels to the aviation and heavy-duty markets. How soon, what’s next, and what’s the business model?
Fulcrum’s Strategic Partnership with the Aviation Industry
Jim Macias, CEO, Fulcrum BioEnergy
We will look at how the aviation industry has shaped Fulcrum’s business plan and produced a supplier-customer relationship that is accelerating renewable drop-in fuels.
DME: Emergence of New Fuel Market
Rebecca Boudreaux, President, Oberon Fuels
Oberon is leading the market development for DME (dimethyl ether) as a global transportation fuel. DME is a clean-burning alternative to diesel that can be made from a variety of methane and carbon dioxide sources (food waste, landfill gas, natural gas). Oberon is the first producer of fuel-grade DME in North America and supplying Volvo Trucks and Ford for demonstrations in the heavy-duty and light-duty vehicle space, respectively.
Additional presentations by:
Veronica May, VP/GM Renewable Energy & Chemicals, Honeywell, UOP
Brian Baynes, CEO, Joule Unlimited
5:15pm ADVANCED INTEGRATED BIOREFINERIES I
Deployment of bolt-ons, retrofits and infrastructure technology
In this session, we look at bolt-on and retrofit technologies that focus on adding new capabilities to first-gen plants, from adding feedstock efficiency, lowering the carbon score, or enabling the production of higher value products.
5:15pm The Importance of Co-products to Fuel Ethanol Production Facilities
Douglas B. Rivers, Ph.D., Director, Research & Development, ICM, Inc.
We will discuss where we are today, what we expect to see in the next couple of years, and how ICM believes co-products will evolve into the future. We will examine what we believe the financial impact will be to Fuel Ethanol Production Plants, including how co-products may provide opportunities to favor one co-product over another depending on current market conditions.
5:30pm Bolt-on Cellulosic Ethanol Production…NOW!
Peter Kilner, SVP, Business Development, Edeniq
Edeniq has successfully commercialized its Pathway Technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol via a low-cost bolt-on to existing ethanol plants. The process involves:
· adding Edeniq’s proprietary Cellunator? equipment to pretreat starch and cellulosic corn fiber
· adding a cellulosic enzyme to fermentation to increase ethanol production from starch and enable production of cellulosic ethanol
· quantifying the production of cellulosic ethanol eligible for D3 RINs using a proprietary methodology.
5:45pm Identifying and Attracting Top Talent for a Profitable Future
Gary Wiehs, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed
In today’s renewables environment, top talent is critical to survival. Gary Weihs, Managing Partner at Kincannon & Reed Executive recruiting, will discuss what constitutes “top talent” and why companies are making it their highest priority to identify, and attract it. Gary will finish by reviewing Kincannon & Reed’s observations in the areas of compensation and relocation.
6:00pm Announcement of the Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Announcement of the 50 Hottest Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy, Awards Reception at the HOT PARTY.
Day 2 – February 18, 2016
7:00am Energy Security Breakfast
Speakers:
Michael Breen, Executive Director, The Truman National Security Project and The Center for National Policy
Chris Tindal, Director for Operational Energy, United States Navy
8:00am Opening Address
Dr. Catherine Woteki, Chief Scientist and Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics, USDA
8:20am Federal Activities in the Bioeconomy I
In this session, we look at the wide-ranging agency activities that are critical in supporting the growing bioeconomy. Each agency brings their own mission and expertise to the production of bioenergy and bioproducts, and represent a snapshot of the numerous federally-funded programs in the field.
Moderator: Alison Goss Eng, Program Manager, Feedstock Supply and Logistics and Advanced Algal Systems, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Department of Energy
Panelists:
Jonathan Male, Director, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Department of Energy
Harry Baumes, Director, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of Agriculture
Greg Rorrer, Program Director, Energy for Sustainability Program, Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems, National Science Foundation
9:20am Federal Activities in the Bioeconomy II
In this session, we look at the interagency collaboration in the federal government—exploring how different agencies have come together to confront challenges and create opportunity in the bioeconomy.
Moderator: Todd Campbell, Policy Advisor for Energy and the Bioeconomy, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Panelists:
Catherine Ronning, Program Manager-Plant Biologist, Office of Science, Department of Energy
William Goldner, Acting Division Director, Division of Sustainable Bioenergy, Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture
Chris Tindal, Director for Operational Energy, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Department of the Navy
Nate Brown, Alternative Jet Fuel Project Manager, Federal Aviation Administration
10:20am ABLC Keynote Adress
Dan Oh, CEO, Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
10:45am Networking and Refreshment break
11:15am William Feehery, President, DuPont Industrial Biosciences
11:40am ADVANCED BIOFUELS II
Cellulosic fuels: first commercials and beyond
In this session, we look at first commercials, and also begin to look at multi-year, multi-location deployments – who’s adopting, what feedstocks, what policy supports are working, and where.
Presentations by:
Brian Foody, CEO, Iogen
Martin Mitchell, Business Development Director, Clariant
Richard Engler, Senior Chemist, Bergeson & Campbell, PC
12:40pm Luncheon and Networking
1:50pm The RENEWABLE CHEMICALS & BIOMATERIALS SUMMIT II
Chemicals: First commercials and beyond
In this session, we look at first commercials, and also begin to look at multi-year, multi-location deployments – who’s adopting, what feedstocks, what policy supports are working, and where.
Developing and Commercializing a Next Generation Polymer with Blockbuster Potential – PEF
Tom Van Aken, CEO, Avantium
Commercializing Bio-succinic acid in a $30/barrel oil world
Marcel Lubben, CEO, Reverdia
Our Bio-based industry is going through a rough phase with oil at $30/barrel. Commercialization strategies that made sense yesterday, don’t seem logic today. This presentation will highlight Reverdia’s recent journey of commercialization and will also look ahead at our plans and what we feel the industry needs to do be successful in a $30/barrel oil world.
Staged Deployment of Rennovia’s Catalytic Process Technologies for Bio-Based Chemicals Production
Tim Dummer, Vice President. Commercialization, Rennovia
Rennovia has developed breakthrough catalytic processes for the cost-advantaged production of bio-based adipic acid (AA) via glucaric acid (GA), and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) via 1,6-hexanediol (HDO). Rennovia’s go-to-market strategy features early commercialization of the intermediate products GA and HDO. This approach allows profitable commercial deployment of Rennovia’s GA and HDO processes in a low-capital setting while de-risking its larger-scale AA and HMD technologies.
Short- and Medium-Chain Organic Acids from Low-value Biomass: A Renewable Chemicals Platform for the 21st Century
Dave Austgen, CEO, Earth Energy Renewables
Earth Energy Renewables (EER) was founded in 2012 through the acquisition of Terrabon. EER has shifted focus from production of fuels to production of purified small- and medium chain organic acids, sometimes called volatile fatty acids. A simplified process concept has been developed and proven in a semi-batch pilot operation. The resulting organic acids can be converted into a wide range of derivatives for which large markets are already well-developed. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of the process, product mix, target markets, and development and commercialization plans.
Bringing levulinic acid to the Market
Marcel Van Berkel, Chief Commercial Officer, GFBiochemicals
GFBiochemicals is the only company to produce levulinic acid at commercial scale directly from biomass. Levulinic acid is one of the most promising biobased platform chemicals, levulinic acid has far-reaching applications. This presentation will address the industrial applications of levulinic acid, as well as the chemical’s consumer product uses. Market sectors include plastics, flavors & fragrances, coatings & resins, packaging and personal care. As in-house application development is expanding, greater functionality for levulinic acid and its derivatives will continue to evolve. With GFBiochemicals’ own IP portfolio and a commercial-scale plant, biobased levulinic acid can enable truly sustainable products.
Andrew Richard, CEO, Comet Biorefining
3:30pm Refreshment and Networking Break
4:00pm ADVANCED Feedstocks and Supply Chains
Near-term opportunities and infrastructure development for biomass energy, protein, nutraceuticals
In this session, we look at advanced technologies that are going commercial based on higher-value, smaller-volume markets such as nutraceuticals, or alternative mass-volume markets such as proteins or biomass energy. What are the challenges and how does it compare to fuels or bulk chemicals?
Lowering Feedstock Risk in Crop Residues
Bill Levy, CEO, PacificAg
Two years ago feedstock risk was among the greatest remaining cost risks in developing a commercial scale bioconversion facility. Today, there are 50-100 million tons of sustainably harvestable crop residue that can be feedstock for bioconversion and we have proven how to do it successfully and at what cost. We know the costs of developing that crop residue supply chain; We know the costs of a delivered dry ton; We know where the greatest volume of tons are sustainably available and we know where the lowest cost for those tons can be found. In fact, we are quite busy exploiting this knowledge to serve multiple markets and the bioconversion technologies will need to get busy or the lowest cost locations will be taken by other industries that have fewer risks.
Quality, Reliability and Scalability: The Importance of Dedicated Crops
Anna Rath, CEO, NexSteppe
We are finally at a point in the bioeconomy where we have commercial scale facilities being built and at least beginning to try to operate. Unfortunately, all too often, these facilities are struggling to operate continuously and/or at capacity. And, while certainly some of this is due to needing to work out the kinks in the process, in many cases, a major contributor to the difficulties is feedstock. When many of these first commercial projects were being planned, everyone said “we can’t take feedstock risk at the same time as we’re taking technology scale-up risk”, which translated into trying to use solely existing crops or residues. What wasn’t fully understood is that trying to use feedstocks that weren’t designed for the purpose, require vast collection areas or are an afterthought for the supplier IS taking feedstock risk. No one feedstock is the complete answer in all cases, but more and more those who’ve actually built facilities and begun trying to operate at scale are recognizing the importance of having a feedstock that provides reliable supply within a reasonable radius at a high level of quality to enable the successful operation of their process.
Additional presentations by:
Jamie Levine, CEO, Sapphire Energy
Martin Sabarsky, CEO, Cellana
5:15pm The Financing of the Advanced Bioeconomy
In this session, we look at the project financing of first commercials and beyond. What structures are working, who’s investing, and where and how and why?
Creative US And International Debt And Equity Financing Mechanisms For Bioeconomy Projects And Technology Companies
Mark J. Riedy Presentation Summary:
We will discuss available debt, equity and non-dilutive funding sources and mechanisms for bioeconomy technology companies and their US and international projects, including the use of credit enhanced debt; protective insurance products; strategic investor equity; non-dilutive grants and tax equity (including the recent tax incentive extensions); regulatory incentives (including the use of GHG emissions reduction allowances under the Clean Power Plan); capital and institutional markets; green funds and bonds from states, foreign governments and banks; and new capital equity expansion mechanisms such as MLPs, REITs, High Yield Bond Funds, Yieldcos, Warehouse facilities, and other hybrid structures.
Additional presentations by:
John May, Managing Director, Stern Brothers
John Kirkwood, Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels
Taite McDonald, Holland & Knight
Day 3 – February 19, 2016
“Molecular Dating” – Business Opportunity Discussions and Networking
You are invited to participate in (and/or to Sponsor and Moderate) an 8-10 person discussion of Business Opportunities for your favorite “Hot Molecule”. We will be asking people to choose the tables with the Molecular Opportunities they wish to discuss throughout the day, when they arrive in the morning. These tables (Rounds of 10) will each be assigned to specific Molecules for discussions during the morning and afternoon breaks and for a 60 minute discussion of Business Opportunities and Commercialization Issues, for that specific Molecule, during lunch. (If you are interested in Sponsoring and Moderating the Luncheon Discussion on your favorite Molecule, please contact: Bill Lundberg, blundberg@me.com, at 774-270-0358
8:00am Pat Gruber, CEO, Gevo
8:15am The Bioeconomy R&D Consortia Summit
Consortia and Partnerships
Key national and international consortia update on the latest in technology and commercial development, including Sustainable Energy4ALL, marine fuels, algae development, aviation fuels development, advanced feedstocks, and international market development.
Presentations by:
Sustainable Energy 4ALL
Gerry Ostheimer, SE4ALL
BioIndustrial Innovation, Canada – Canadian Bioeconomy Clusters
Murray McLaughlin, Executive Director, BioIndustrial Innovation Canada
The Canadian bioeconomy is being built around the availability of Biomass in Forestry and Agriculture. That combined with strong research and development and international connectivity is critical to establishing the Hybrid Cluster system across the country. The presentation will briefly describe the value chain that creates the hybrid system and the process of building the clusters.
Producing Algae and Co-Products for Energy (PACE)
Richard Sayre, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Sustainable Marine Fuel
Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, GoodNRG Group
The Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group? (BRAG?) – BRAG Update
Kathleen Roberts, VP, Bergeson & Campbell Consortia Management, Executive Director, BRAG
9:30am AVIATION & MILITARY BIOFUELS SUMMIT
(Presented In Partnership with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)
Achieving SAJF Commercialization Success – Lessons Learned and How to Move Forward
Policy accelerators and latest updates on technology, offtakes, pathway certification, testing and business development.
Introduction: Steve Csonka, Executive Director, CAAFI
Panel Discussion: Achieving SAJF Commercialization, Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Moderator: Todd Couper, Director, Fuel Operations and Services, United Airlines, and CAAFI Business Team Co-Lead
Panelists:
Natalie Mindrum, Director, Environmental Strategy, United Airlines
United and other airlines development and commercialization of Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels:
– United’s and other airlines involvement in the project and lessons learned
Bryan Sherbacow, Founder, President, CEO at AltAir Fuels
We examine the status, challenges overcome, challenges remaining, and a call for policies, to replicate AltAir”s success in SAJF Commercialization
Neil Hussey, Fuel Technical Services, United Airlines
Procurement and use of AltAir fuel; Physical supply and integration; Chain-of-custody; Quality; Handling; Usage and Airport integration.
Robert M. Sturtz, Vice President, Business Development, World Fuel Services
Deal, off-take agreements and other WFS engagement.
Dan Baniszewski, Division Chief, Product Technology and Standardization, DLA Energy
DLA procurement of alternative fuels in general, and from AltAir, specifically, including future solicitation and initiatives.
1o:45am Commercializing Alcohol-to-Jet fuel (ATJ) From Isobutanol
Glenn Johnston, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Gevo
11:00am Honeywell, UOP and Renewable Jet Fuel Commercialization
Veronica May, VP/GM Renewable Energy & Chemicals, Honeywell, UOP
11:15am Networking and Refreshment break
11:30am The Biochemical Technology Leadership Roundtable Workshop – Opportunities in Establishing a Biochemical Technology Leadership Roundtable
(Presented In Partnership with the American Chemical Society and the ACS Green Chemistry Institute)
The Roundtable, if formed, would Identify non-competitive issues across the bio/renewable economy value chain, Establish best practices, techniques, and tools/metrics for achieving them, and Incentivize the bio/renewable economy value chain to engage and innovate.
12:30pm Luncheon – “Molecular Dating” – Business Opportunity Discussions and Networking
You are invited to participate in (and/or to Sponsor and Moderate) an 8-10 person Luncheon Discussion of Business Opportunities for your favorite “Hot Molecule”. We will be asking people to choose the tables with the Molecular Opportunities they wish to discuss throughout the day, when they arrive in the morning. These tables (Rounds of 10) will each be assigned to specific Molecules for discussions during the morning and afternoon breaks and for a 60 minute discussion of Business Opportunities and Commercialization Issues for that specific Molecule during lunch. (If you are interested in Sponsoring and Moderating the Luncheon Discussion on your favorite Molecule, please contact: Bill Lundberg, blundberg@me.com, at 774-270-0358
2:00pm Standing together: Lessons learned across the renewable energy spectrum
(Presented in partnership with the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
This session focuses on looking across the renewable energy sector — biofuels, biomass, solar, wind, and geothermal — at lessons learned on successful national, state and global policy and planning, stakeholder communication, business models, global development, technology development pathways, capital formation. What can we all learn from each other in a movement that has transformed into an entire portfolio of new industries. What has worked, where can we do better? How can we continue to coordinate a common message of renewable energy even as these new industries chart their respective paths?
With the participation of:
Jeramy Shays, Director of Transportation, ACORE
Stephen Munro, Editor, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Cindy Thyfault, CEO, Westar Trade Resources
Doug Berven, Vice-President, POET
Skott Sklar, CEO, The Stelle Group
3:30pm Refreshment and Networking Break
4:00pm D.O.E./USDA “Listening Session”
The Biomass Research and Development Board Operations Committee will host a Bioeconomy Listening Session inviting conference attendees to provide thoughts, comments and ask questions on the potential to grow the national Bioeconomy. Listening session hosts plan to solicit input from participants on what opportunities may exist and what challenges need to be confronted in order to achieve a focused and successful Bioeconomy vision for the U.S.
6:00pm Close of Conference
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