Renewable Fuels: Science, Standards, and Sustainability

Early Bird Special

ASTM automatically applies a discount of 10% when participants register 90 days before the start of the class.
*After the early bird period expires, registrations are subject to standard pricing.

About the Course

The ASTM Renewable Fuels course is an introduction to renewable fuels for both ground and aviation use. The course covers first-generation renewable fuels ethanol and biodiesel, now in wide use across the globe. Second-generation renewable fuels are also discussed, comparing their advantages and challenges for implementation. The concepts of life cycle analysis used to qualify the benefits in carbon emissions reductions are presented. Several process pathways for second-generation renewable fuels are discussed. The process pathways for Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuel are presented and discussed. Hydrogen and e-fuels are also reviewed. For more detailed technical information on gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation, and marine fuels, ASTM courses are available.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the need for roles, societal impact, and status for renewable fuels.​
• Describe the purpose of ASTM International, Committee D02, and related organizations in standards development.​
• Explain how carbon reduction in renewable fuels is evaluated through life cycle analysis.​ ​
• Recall how ASTM and similar standards are applied to standardize the properties of renewable fuels and understand how authorities use ASTM standards to regulate renewable fuels.
• Define first-generation renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel and recognize key differences between first- and second-generation renewable fuels.​ ​
• Identify the main requirements of the US Renewable Fuel Standard and other emissions-related fuel regulations.​
• Summarize current and emerging efforts within the energy and renewable fuels industries aimed at conservation, emissions reduction, and carbon footprint mitigation.

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for:

• refinery planners and staff
• renewable fuels manufacturers
• state and federal regulators
• fuels traders and brokers
• analytical laboratories staff
• engine builders
• vehicle manufacturers
• anyone interested in the basics of renewable fuels

Course Outline

Welcome & Introduction

• Meet your expert instructor
• Overview of the training experience
• Participant introductions

Understanding ASTM’s Role

• Overview of ASTM and Committee D02 on Petroleum Products
• Committee E60 on Sustainability and its complementary scope

Defining Sustainability for Fuels

• ASTM’s working definitions
• Concept of carbon intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) impact
• Sustainability as applied to fuel development

Measuring Sustainability: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

• How LCA evaluates environmental impact
• ISO standards (14040/14044)
• Key modeling tools: GREET and others
• Real-world LCA examples and limitations

Regulatory Drivers

• U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) & RIN system
• State Low Carbon Fuel Standards (CA, WA)
• EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
• Global trends and future outlooks (e.g., carbon tax concepts)

First-Generation Biofuels

• Ethanol: Production, blending, performance, ASTM specs
• Biodiesel: Feedstocks, properties, blending, ASTM specs
• Renewable Diesel: Chemistry, commercial growth, ASTM specs

Second-Generation and Advanced Fuels

• Cellulosic ethanol & biobutanol
• Advanced diesel alternatives (Fischer-Tropsch)
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – ASTM D7566
• Marine fuels – sulfur caps, ISO 8216/8217 specs
• Renewable Natural Gas – landfill & digestion recovery
• Hydrogen fuels – green/blue/grey H₂, fuel cells
• E-fuels – CO₂ + green H₂ conversion into synthetic fuels

Synthetic Crude & Waste-Derived Fuels

• Waste plastic and municipal waste conversion
• Pyrolysis products as feedstocks
• Quality and refining considerations

Integration Challenges & Considerations

• Engine compatibility and performance
• Blending and material safety
• Specification consistency (ASTM role)
• Market viability and consumer value

Industry Commitments

• Sustainability initiatives from major fuel suppliers (BP, ExxonMobil, Shell, etc.)

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Recap of learning outcomes
• Reinforcement of technical, regulatory, and commercial knowledge

ASTM Standards Referenced

This course references the following standards:

• ASTM D396
• ASTM D975
• ASTM D1655
• ASTM D3256
• ASTM D4054
• ASTM D4806
• ASTM D4814
• ASTM D5798
• ASTM D6751
• ASTM D7467
• ASTM D7566
• ASTM D7862
• ASTM D8080
• ASTM D8487

Fee Includes

• Referenced ASTM documents
• Course notes
• Certificate Of Attendance
• 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

This course also includes access to a free ASTM course:

• ASTM 101: Introduction to Standards

About the Instructor

Dr. Jim Simnick has over 41 years' experience in fuel and refining technology at BP and Amoco, He retired in 2020 as BP's senior technical advisor - top fuels expert in North America. He wrote many sections and updates of ASTM standards, especially D4814. He is a member of ASTM Committee D02 for over 25 years and current Vice Chairman of Main Committee D02. He previously served on the ASTM Board of Directors (2014-2017). He wrote the chapter on gasoline for the ASTM Manual 1 Significance of Tests for Petroleum Products 9th Edition published 2018 by ASTM. Dr. Simnick has been the recipient of ASTM's highest technical award, Award of Merit.

About ASTM and Sponsoring Committee

Organized in 1898, ASTM is one of the world's largest voluntary standards development organizations. ASTM standards have grown to be among the world's most widely used and accepted documents. The 82-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards contain 13,000 standards written by 34,000 members on our 140 technical committees. Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants developed the standards used in this course. For more information, go to our D02 technical committee page.

On-Site Training Available

Do you have a group of 5 or more people interested in this course? Save time and money by bringing this course to your site. On-site training courses, either in person or virtual, can also be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more information, please contact sales here or call 1-877-909-ASTM.

Cancellation Policy

Note: Because of the potential for course changes or cancellations, it is not advisable to make non-refundable accommodation reservations, since ASTM cannot be responsible for any loss incurred.

If you need to cancel your attendance in this class, phone or email notification to me is required five (5) business days prior to the first day of the seminar. You may receive a full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, up to and including the 5th business day before the seminar. You may transfer your registration to another session (within the same calendar year), or designate an alternate attendee free of charge up to five (5) days prior to the first day of class. If you find that you cannot attend, and it is less than five (5) business days before the start of the seminar, you may send a replacement, with phone notice to me. If you are unable to send a replacement, you forfeit 50% of your registration fee.

For information on this training course, please contact Training

Proficiency Testing Program(s)

ASTM offers related Proficiency Testing Program(s) for this industry