Biodiesel Could Bail Out Hummers

John Davis

General Motors’ Hummer has caught a lot of heat with gas prices climbing above $4 and $5 a gallon. Those high prices could be the death sentence for gas-guzzling, all-terrain vehicles, as GM looks to save its business by finding products that will sell. But their could be a glimmer of hope on the horizon for the go-anywhere… but drink-everything-in-the-tank… vehicle: biodiesel.

This story in the Boston Herald says the folks at GM need to figure out how to get good gas mileage while maintaining the Hummer’s legendary off-road performance:

For that reason, you’re not likely to see a gasoline-electric hybrid Hummer – too much weight and complexity for the backcountry – but the brand will offer biodiesel-powered versions of all its vehicles by 2010. Biodiesel isn’t made from oil and improves fuel economy 30% or so versus gasoline-powered versions of the same vehicle.

While the product planners look for platforms and technologies that could fit Hummer, strategists within GM ponder the idea of redefining the brand, perhaps as a line of environmentally friendly SUVs.

“It’s never going to be a green brand, but you can wash it in green,” said Joe Phillippi, principal of AutoTrends Consulting, Short Hills, N.J.

“In the end, I think they’ll develop the” smaller “H4 and improve the fuel economy of the H3 and H2.”

Leaner and greener, while keeping the meaner… isn’t that what keeps any business in business these days?

Biodiesel, Car Makers

Money Changing Hands at NexGen Biofuels

John Davis

Well, money oversight at least. NexGen Biofuels has announced plans to replace its current CFO with a more local representative.

NexGen Biofuels Ltd. has announced that Eran Rotem, its Chief Financial Officer, who currently lives in Israel, will be leaving NexGen, effective June 2008. The Company has initiated search for a suitable candidate in the United States to fill this position.

Ram Ajjarapu commented: “We appreciate the contributions that Eran has made to NexGen in the transition from Healthcare Technologies Ltd. His leadership and professionalism have been recognized by everyone throughout the organization. We sincerely wish him every success in the future.”

Click here for more information on NexGen Biofuels.

Energy

Iowa Corn Growers Optimistic

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn GrowersAt the Iowa Speedway yesterday, the Iowa Corn Growers Association held an outdoor press conference. They used it to help educate media about corn usage by placing banners on the side of a grain trailer showing the relative percentages of corn used for different purposes like livestock feed and ethanol.

I did a short interview with Gary Edwards, ICGA board member. Ken Root, WHO, also participated. Gary farms in Animosa, IA which is in one of the most flood impacted areas of the state. He says that although corn growth is behind schedule and there is a lot of land impacted, he expects that the state will still have a good crop. He wants people to keep in mind that last year they had a record corn crop and this year still has the potential to be one of the biggest. He says the water levels have gone down significantly already and he expects that a lot of those fields will dry out and be re-planted. He has no doubt that they’ll be able to provide all the corn needed for both food and fuel again this year.

You can listen to my interview with Gary here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-08-edwards.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Farming, News

The Evolution of Ethanol

John Davis

“The industry is at a point where the next evolution is here. You know it’s at the next phase.” Toni Nuernberg, the new Executive Director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council says the ethanol industry is facing significant changes and challenges. That’s why, she says, both EPIC members and non-members attended the organization’s first annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska earlier this month. Toni says leaders in the ethanol industry are facing challenges and conflicts never before seen in the industry. At the same time, she says the industry is poised to make an unprecedented impact on fueling the nation.

About 100 industry leaders attended the meeting. Chuck was also there covering the event. You can listen to Chuck’s one-on-one interview Toni here:

[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-annual-mtg-toni.mp3]
Audio, Energy, EPIC, Ethanol, News, Promotion

Improving Ethanol Plant Efficiency

Cindy Zimmerman

Improving the efficiency of ethanol plants is critical for a number of reasons, but especially in light of high corn prices that are cutting into margins for producers.

FEW 08 PoetPOET has been working on improving the efficiency of their plants for years now according to President and CEO Jeff Broin (pictured here on the left with Nathan Schock, director of public relations for POET).

“We’ve been developing technology for many years that lower water usage, lower energy usage, increase through-put,” Broin said at the 2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop. “As we’ve developed these technologies they’ve allowed us to be a little more efficient than the average guy. As with any industry, the low-cost producer is going to survive long term.”

POET’s plant in Ashton, Iowa received an Energy Star Combined Heat & Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the FEW this year. “The Ashton plant actually takes the steam not just to power the plant but then uses that same steam to run the turbine,” said Broin. “So that co-generation is a double use of that same steam which is highly efficient.”

POET currently has 23 plants in operation producing about 1.3 billion gallons of ethanol and they have three more plants under construction in Ohio and Indiana.

Listen to an interview with Jeff Broin from the 2008 FEW here:
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/few08/few08-broin.mp3]

2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Ethanol, Facilities, FEW, News

Biodiesel Blend Regulations Expected to Boost Support and Demand

John Davis

Biodiesel is expected to become a hotter commodity with consumers. The ASTM International D02 Main Committee has approved a trio of ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends.

  • Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D6751)
  • Finished specifications to include up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D975)
  • A new specification for blends of between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) for on and off road diesel.

Automakers and engine manufacturers have been requesting a finished blend specification for B20 biodiesel blends for several years, with some citing the need for that spec as the single greatest hurdle preventing their full-scale acceptance of B20 use in their diesel vehicles.

Steve Howell, Chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force, said, “The new ASTM specifications for B6-B20 blends will aid engine manufacturers in their engine design and testing processes to optimize the performance of vehicles running on biodiesel. The new specifications will also help ensure that only the highest quality biodiesel blends are made available to consumers at the retail pump.”

The approval of ASTM specifications for inclusion of up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the regular diesel fuel pool also means that biodiesel could soon become more readily available at retail fueling stations nationwide.

For more information about biodiesel visit the USDA Biodiesel Website.

Biodiesel, Energy

Duke Energy Ohio Looks for Renewable Energy Options

John Davis

Duke EnergyDuke Energy Ohio is seeking proposals for renewable energy resources. The energy company says it’s looking to begin delivering energy through more renewable means sometime between 2009 and 2012. The effort falls in line with Ohio’s new renewable energy portfolio standards.

Types of renewable resources that would qualify:

— Wind energy
— Solar photovoltaic or solar thermal energy
— Geothermal energy
— Fuel derived from solid wastes not mainly due to combustion
— Biomass energy
— Hydroelectric power
— Biologically derived methane gas
— Energy derived from pulping/wood manufacturing
— Fuel cells
— Storage facilities that use off-peak power from renewables.

The recent Ohio energy law requires Ohio utilities to generate 50 percent of their renewable power from facilities located within the state.

biomass, Energy, Solar, Wind

Ethanol and Dan Wheldon Win in Iowa

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn Indy 250This year’s Iowa Corn Indy 250 is over and as usual, ethanol won. Actually, Dan Wheldon, Target Chip Ganassi Racing won the race.

He’s seen here holding up the trophy which is a replica gas pump.

The Team Ethanol car ran as high as 3rd place but according to driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay, they lost a gamble on fuel strategy. He ran a strong race all day and really wanted to finish on the podium in front of so many fans of ethanol but it wasn’t to be. He finished 8th though and maybe he’ll get some breaks to go his way next time.

I’m out of here and heading home before getting on the road again tomorrow for the “Transition To a Bio Economy” conference in Berkeley, CA. I’ll be doing some posts from there starting on Tuesday.

Don’t forget to check out my photo album from all the activities of the past few days.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ethanol Starts The Iowa Indy

Chuck Zimmerman

Green FlagThe Iowa Corn Indy 250 is underway here at Iowa Speedway and the weather is perfect.

Team Ethanol started at position 17 but driver Ryan Hunter-Reay made a bold move and jumped to 7th almost immediately and has been holding there by mid race.

I’ll post more at the end of the race which, depending on cautions, won’t be long.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ryan is the One

Chuck Zimmerman

Ryan Hunter-ReayThe qualifying session for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 got rained out last night so unfortunately that means the drivers will start according to their points standing. That was a blow to Team Ethanol. The car was performing very well and would likely have had a much better starting position. Ryan Hunter-Reay, who spoke at the EPIC member reception last night, says he’ll make up for it though.

Members attending the reception were able to ask him questions, get his autograph and have their pictures taken. This little guy seemed very surprised to be picked up by Ryan for a picture.

You can listen to Ryan’s comments here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-08-hunter-reay-3.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing