Global Clean Energy Expands the Potential of Renewable Fuel

Written on: December 12, 2022

Their camelina-based renewable fuels offer new possibilities for renewable propane

Recently, the Renewable Propane Alliance enthusiatically welcomed a new member, Global Clean Energy. This California-based company develops and produces renewable fuels using a proprietary camelina feedstock.

Their farm-to-fuel production process opens up new opportunities for many individuals and businesses throughout the supply stream. And the sustainable fuel it yields — which includes renewable propane gas — is chemically identical to petroleum products, but its carbon intensity is over 80 percent lower!

We’re thrilled that Global Clean Energy has joined the Renewable Propane Alliance. Here’s a full rundown of their exciting process.

What is camelina sativa?

This oilseed crop is a distant cousin of canola. It grows in regions of North and South America, as well as Europe.

Camelina sativa is a highly desirable renewable fuel feedstock. Global Clean Energy’s camelina-based fuels have a carbon intensity (CI) that’s roughly 7 percent of the CI rating of traditional petroleum diesel.

The varieties of camelina that Global Clean Energy produces may soon have the lowest CI score of any plant feedstock. Over time, their renewable diesel could have a CI score at or below zero!

How can camelina help renewable propane production?

Renewable LPG is one of the co-products of Global Clean Energy’s renewable diesel production. Its Bakersfield refinery, which has a nameplate capacity of 15,000 barrels of renewable diesel daily, will soon provide renewable propane to UGI/AmeriGas.

“Camelina-based fuels, including renewable propane, can offer significant environmental benefits throughout its lifecycle – from the benefits camelina provides to the land on which it is grown to the finished fuels’ reduced emissions for end users,” Global Clean Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Palmer said. “Strategic partners like AmeriGas support our goal of enhancing sustainability through advancing the growth of renewable fuels in California and elsewhere.”

What are the other benefits of camelina?

Camelina grows quickly and widely without significant cultivation effort:

• It grows on land that would otherwise be fallow or idle.
• It requires very little water to thrive.
• Growing camelina does not displace food crops.
• Camelina matures in less than 100 days.
• It’s resistant to insect pests and diseases.
• It offers pollination opportunities that benefit bees and promotes biodiversity.

Farmers can grow camelina in late fall, early spring and summer. It can be planted on the same land before or after other row crops. Once the oil is extracted, camelina meal also functions as livestock feed!

Global Clean Energy — Leading the way in camelina development and production

With its proprietary camelina-based fuels, Global Clean Energy is generating a highly scalable renewable product that meets federal emissions standards and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Their process touches every step of production, including:

• Plant breeding and seed production
• Agronomy and ag information technology
• Grain handling and logistics
• Oil extraction and refining
• Renewable fuels and livestock feed

There’s so much potential with camelina for farmers and renewable fuel producers. If you would like to support the continued growth of camelina and camelina-based fuels, we encourage you to submit a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture advocating for camelina’s designation as a Title I Crop under the Farm Bill. This change would make camelina eligible for Agricultural Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and the Marketing Assistance Loan Program, ensuring more farmers can adopt camelina into their crop rotations.