1. Jamaica: Advancing a Sustainable Biofuels Industry
Maureen R. Wilson Ph. D.
Laboratory Manager
Sugar Industry Research Institute
Kendal Rd, Mandeville
SRC May 2008

2. BIOFUELS Products from biological origin
Liquid biofuels - ethanol and bio-diesel
Solid biofuels - wood chips, woody biomass, bagasse
Gaseous biofuels - biogas, from digesting organic waste
SRC May 2008

3. Sustainable biofuels industry
Sustainable use of land and water
Maximum biomass production
Integrate into existing farming systems
Efficient Conversion Technologies
Stringent waste management
SRC May 2008

4. Sustainable biofuels industry II
Standardization and Certification
Compliance, enforcement and accountability
Legislation - emission control, land use and trade
Auditing tools, Life Cycle Assessment
Greenhouse gas savings
SRC May 2008

5. Jamaica’s Energy Policy
Seeks to secure access to energy, energy security and to protect the environment
MTBE to be replaced by 10% ethanol 2008 & to increase to 15% by 2012
Bioethanol from sugar cane
Mix of 2 % bio-diesel in petroleum diesel
The Jamaica Energy Policy 2006 – 2020
SRC May 2008

6. Jamaica Ethanol dehydrating plants Cogeneration using bagasse
Bioethanol from sugar cane
Fuel wood project at Font Hill Farm
Northern Caribbean University – biodiesel from waste vegetable oils
Biogas for use by households and small industries - SRC
SRC May 2008

7. Restructuring
SRC May 2008

8. Ethanol Production Costs (US$/hl; 1hl = 100litres)
Country
Feedstock
Plant size
hl/year
Feed-
Stock
Cost
Other
Oper.
Costs
Gross
Prod.
Net
Brazil
B-molasses
Cane juice
550,000
9.67
3.88
13.55
12.58 US
Corn, dry milling
570,000
23.12
12.20
35.32
26.70
Lignocellulosic Ethanol
90.00 EU
Wheat
500,000
39.10
27.77
66.87
59.18
Sugar beet
27.16
24.66
51.81
46.21
Colombia
16.68
3.67
20.35
India
C-molasses
150,000
12.80
5.83
18.63
Pakistan
Molasses
375,000
11.97
2.55
14.52
Jamaica
19.00
F. O. Licht
SRC May 2008

9. Biofuel yields of selected feedstocks
World Watch Institute, 2006
SRC May 2008

10. France (beet)
Brazil (cane)
USA (corn)
SRC May 2008

11. Source: EC Renewable Energy Roadmap, 2006
Greenhouse gas savings of different biofuels compared to their fossil fuel comparator
Type of biofuel
GHG savings (%)
Biodiesel from: PALM OIL
53 %
RAPESEED OIL
51 %
SOY
29 %
Ethanol from: SUGAR CANE
89 %
WHEAT
49 %
BEET
40 %
SRC May 2008
Source: EC Renewable Energy Roadmap, 2006

12. Benefits of using Sugarcane
“There seems to be a consensus that among the major crops usable as a feedstock for ethanol, sugarcane is arguably the best, thanks to low production costs, a high net energy gain and a healthy CO2 balance.”
H. Ahlfeld, Intl. Sugar and Sweetener Report, vol 139 # 33 p 577
SRC May 2008

13. Trade
Rapid increase in trade in biofuels and feedstocks result in a great increase in vegetable oil prices, negative impacts on viability of biofuel and food prices
Need for increase in production
Right sizing of the industrial complex
Examination of export taxes, transport charges as well as import duties and incentives
Policies to minimize barriers
SRC May 2008

14. Policy Coherence
Coherence between policies of different Ministries and Government Departments affecting the production of biofuels
Coherence between national policies and those of EU to ensure that there are no barriers to export trade
SRC May 2008

15. Socio Environmental Issues
Conflict between using land and water for growing crops for food, livestock feed and biofuel, rearing livestock, aquaculture
Unsustainable production - destroying tropical forests, affect eco-systems
Improved efficiencies in land and water management practices
Soil fertility management - removal of crop residues for lignocellulosic ethanol or for cogeneration - impact on soil structure - promote erosion
SRC May 2008

16. Socio Environmental Issues II
The potential of biofuels in poverty reduction appears to be significant, but fragile
Use marginal lands to grow crops such as jatropha – improve soil structure
Stringent management is necessary to achieve high productivity of crops
High prices of fertilisers and poor agronomic practices
SRC May 2008

17. The role of Science Technology and Innovation
To increase availability and improve quality of feedstock - characterisation and optimisation of feedstock life cycle
Economic analysis of the productivity and suitability of the various feedstock
Technological options for conversion should provide direction towards cost-effective solutions
SRC May 2008

18. The role of Science Technology and Innovation II
GIS technology to identify feedstock availability
Harvesting and storage of the raw material
Improvement in dehydration /compaction
Use pure plant oil applications in adapted engines
Alternatives to esterification
Logistical issues for transporting biofuels
SRC May 2008

19. The role of Science Technology and Innovation III
Compatibility with the existing infrastructure, equipment capacity and capability
International biofuels quality standards may require adaptation to suit local requirements
Greater investments in research and developing human capital and physical infrastructure are required
SRC May 2008

20. Training
Locally and regionally train engineers, agronomists environmentalists, management, bio-engineer
Specialist training received from Brazillians
Training from suppliers of equipment to maximise production of ethanol
Establish Centres of Excellence regionally through CREDP for comprehensive renewable energy training
Collaboration between Government Institutions, educational facilities, research organisations, Ministries and Departments facilitating the development of the biofuels industry
SRC May 2008

21. Public Education and Awareness Programme
Designed and aimed at all sectors of civil society including activities aimed at children and young people to communicate the overall goals of the governments with respect to the country’s economic development, advantages of using renewables and for protection of the environment.
SRC May 2008

22. Conclusions
Jamaica is naturally endowed – climate, arable land and water resources
Jamaica has the capacity to produce fuel grade ethanol and bagasse for cogeneration
Jamaica must advance the sustainable production of biofuels increasing the competitive state of the agricultural sector
National strategies to maximise benefits to farmers and other investors in trading agreements with US and EU
SRC May 2008

23. Conclusions II
In developing policies, the linkages between biofuels, agriculture - livestock, fisheries and societal goals of food and nutrition security and economic prosperity must be recognized
Jamaica must act and increase investment for sustaining science, technology and innovation by building human resource capacity and physical infrastructure
Potential exists for increase use of biogas, biodiesel from waste vegetable oil
SRC May 2008

24. Conclusions III
Potential for production of bio-diesel from castor oil plant.
Through policy coherence for development (PCD), which highlights the EU’s commitments to improving the effectiveness of development assistance, ACP national governments should be able to access policy, budgetary and technical support in the areas of environment, energy, and agriculture and food security (COM, 2008).
SRC May 2008

25. SRC May 2008