News Story-Biorefinery

Egan Awarded California Biorefinery Project Funded by Department of Energy

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., March 31, 2011—Fabrication of a corn-to-cellulosic pilot biorefinery plant in California, funded with $20.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was awarded to Grand Rapids-based Andy J. Egan Co. (Egan).

Egan was awarded fabrication from EdeniQ, Inc. The DOE selected Logos Technologies, Inc. and EdeniQ to receive the $20.5 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Corn-to-Cellulosic Migration Project.

The entire biorefinery, which is made up of tanks, piping and other pieces, will be fabricated in Egan’s Grand Rapids fabrication shop. It will be mounted to 14 skids and shipped in 16 truckloads to EdeniQ’s Visalia, Calif. headquarters where it will be bolted together. Fabrication has begun and is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2011.

The goal of the pilot plant is to demonstrate technologies that convert non-food, cellulosic feedstocks—like corn leaves and stalks (corn stover), switchgrass and woodchips—into economically and environmentally sustainable ethanol. Logos and EdeniQ are focused on the migration of billions of dollars of capital deployed in today’s corn ethanol industry toward cost-effective production of greener ethanol.

“This project is part of the ongoing effort to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, spur the creation of the domestic biorefining industry, and provide new clean-tech jobs throughout the country,” said DOE project officer, Gene Petersen.

Once the plant is fully operational, it will process two tons of cellulosic biomass per day.

“A project of this size has a huge impact on our company. We anticipate about 50 employees being involved at one time or another. These employees are our friends and family from West Michigan, so it’s great for our community, too,” said Pat Heffron, Andy J. Egan Co. project manager.

For more information, contact Jorri Smith at 616.791.9952 or at smithj@andyegan.com.

Andy J. Egan Co.: Founded in 1919, mechanical contractor and fabricator Andy J. Egan Co. offers design-build, plumbing, piping, HVAC sheet metal, fabrication, mechanical insulation, controls and 24/7 service for commercial, industrial and institutional applications.

EdeniQ: EdeniQ delivers paradigm-changing biofuels technologies to bio-refiners worldwide. EdeniQ’s technologies help producers reduce operating costs, increase profits, and improve environmental results. Soon EdeniQ will enable biofuels producers to economically convert a wide range of renewable, non-food biomass into clean, affordable fuels.

Logos Technologies: Logos Technologies, Inc. serves customers across a broad range of technologies and services, including biofuels research, advanced nuclear engineering, and system design and integration. Logos is aggressively developing advanced capabilities in methods of energy production.