Iowa Could Get First Algae-Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

While Iowa might be best known for its large amount of corn and soybeans being turned into ethanol and biodiesel, the Hawkeye State might get into a feedstock more associated with the layer of scum that grows on its many farm ponds.

According to this story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the Iowa Power Fund board is looking into funding the state’s first algae-to-biodiesel project:

gpre.gifA pilot plant proposed by Green Plains Renewable Energy would use three byproducts from the company’s Shenandoah plant – waste water, waste carbon dioxide, and waste heat from dryers – as feedstock to grow algae. The algae would then be harvested and processed into biodiesel

The Iowa Power Fund board authorized final negotiations for $2,190,407 state grant for phase I of the two-phase project.

“The availability of new technologies and new feedstocks for renewable fuels is critical to our state and regional economies,” said Scott Poor, corporate counsel and director of external communications for Green Plains Renewable Energy.

The project would initially involve the development of a 100-square-meter pilot plot for algae growth. If the project is developed at commercial scale, it would cover about 250 acres with algae impoundments covered by movable greenhouse-like structures to sequester carbon.

GreenFuel Technologies, Green Plains’ partner in this project, is not new to the algae-biodiesel game. The company has been involved in other algae projects in Arizona and Kansas.

Green Plains’ ethanol plant in Shenandoah has already been pretty successful since opening last August, producing even more than its initially-projected 50 million gallons of ethanol a year. The company plans to open another ethanol plant in Superior later this year.

Biodiesel

New Web Site Offering Alternatively-Fueled Trucks

John Davis

There’s a new web site out there that could make it a little easier for truck operators looking to get away from diesel and start running on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

James Blakely… JB… is a former truck driver, heavy equipment mechanic, and truck sales professional and has put his expertise with the need for CNG and LNG trucks to create Alternatefueltrucks.com:

altec-boom.jpgI am honored to be able to say I have worked for Carmenita Truck Center for over sixteen plus years. In that time I have had the opportunity to assist business owners and fleet managers with supplying and designing trucks to make their businesses more efficient and profitable.

I still serve many of my original customers from 1991. I view myself as your business partner. If your business is successful and grows, so will mine. I would be privileged to add you to my list of happy customers.

We currently offer the Autocar product with a factory installed Cummins ISL-G engines. I have built these for applications including: aerial booms, utility cranes, dump and water truck bodies and more. Almost any truck body can work with either CNG or LNG as their fuel type.

Check ’em out at Alternatefueltrucks.com!

Miscellaneous

POET to Use Methane for Ethanol Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

Under an agreement with the City of Sioux Falls, POET Biorefining – Chancellor will use methane generated from the Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill to provide energy for ethanol production.

POETAccording to POET, the methane will initially displace 10 percent of the ethanol plant’s natural gas usage, increasing to 30 percent in 2025 as additional methane is generated. The methane, which is generated when municipal solid waste decomposes, will be transported by a 10 mile low-pressure pipeline. Construction is expected to be completed in Q2 2009. Displacement of natural gas will decrease CO2 emissions at the plant by 26,445 tons in 2010, the first full year that the system is operational.

Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson said, “This is truly a win-win for the City of Sioux Falls, POET, our community and customers of the landfill,” Munson said. “The City feels fortunate to be able to make a significant impact on the environment and improve revenue at the Landfill at the same time.”

Energy, Ethanol, News

Company Offers Wood for Cellulosic Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Green Energy ResourcesA New York-based lumber company is offering supply contracts to any American company anywhere in the United States requiring woodchips for cellulosic ethanol production.

Green Energy Resources says it is “ready to meet the demand and supply of the US Government-mandated 15 billion gallons of wood cellulostic ethanol authorized under the US Energy Bill passed in 2007.”

The company uses a software-based national inventory system that “can deliver cost effectively from anywhere in the United States and can work with producers on carbon credits and other trading mechanisms to utilize maximum profitability,” according to a press release.

Green Energy Resources says they obtain woodchips from urban/suburban wood waste streams, including landfills, tree services, excavators, storm damage and tree farms.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Westar to Break Ground on Kansas Wind Farm

John Davis

westar.jpgState officials, as well as company officials from Westar Energy, Horizon Wind Energy and The Empire District Electric Company (from Joplin, Missouri), will be on hand this Friday when the companies break ground on a 200-megawatt wind power farm in Northern Kansas’ Cloud County.

This Westar press release says, when the project is completed (anticipated by the end of this year), it will crank out power for residents of at least two states while making the environment a bit cleaner:

Meridian Way Wind Farm is a 201 megawatt (MW) project owned and operated by Horizon Wind Energy. The wind farm will produce enough energy to power 45,000 average Kansas homes. Westar Energy will purchase 96 MW of energy produced by Phase II of the project. The Empire District Electric Company, based out of Joplin, MO, will purchase energy produced by Phase I of the project.

“The ample natural supply of wind and the support of the local residents and community leaders make Cloud County a prime location for a wind farm,” said Greg Greenwood, vice president, generation construction for Westar Energy. “This groundbreaking symbolizes the commitment Westar Energy, The Empire District Electric Company and Horizon Wind Energy has for providing clean, renewable energy to our customers and the state of Kansas.”

Meridian Way will consist of 67 Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbines, the largest on-shore wind turbine currently being installed. The wind farm is expected to prevent the annual emission of approximately 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide; nearly 1,200 tons of nitrogen oxide; and over 1,600 tons of sulfer dioxide. This is equivalent to taking 60,000 cars off the road. Meridian Way is expected to go online by the end of 2008.

The wind farm is part of Westar’s plan to bring even more wind energy to Kansas and the region.

Wind

PA Officials Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lake Erie Biofuels

John Davis

lakeerielogo.gifLocal and state officials in Pennsylvania have received a first-hand, behind-the-scenes tour of the new Lake Erie Biofuels plant at the site of the former International Paper plant near Erie, PA.

This story in the Erie (PA) Times-News says they were impressed with what they saw at the 45-million-gallon-a-year facility:

“I must have read a million things about this place, but until you see it, you don’t get a full understanding of it,” said Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Yablonsky led a delegation of local and state officials on a tour of the biodiesel plant, which has grown over the past two years at the East Lake Road site that once held the International Paper plant.

In November, state, federal and local government officials joined Erie Management Group to cut the ribbon on the $60 million facility that has the capacity to produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel a year.

Now, five months later, Erie Management Group founder Samuel P. “Pat” Black said he is happy with the progress of the $60 million plant. And government development officials said the $15 million that government programs pumped into the former IP site and its infrastructure is also paying off.

“Absolutely we are happy with it,” said Monica Brower, chief executive of the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County. “We have had almost $85½ million of (private and public) investment in this site, and it has only been two years. To be able to do this in just two years … it’s amazing.”

The story also has the following link with video so you can see it, too. Check it out!

lakeerievideo.jpg

Biodiesel, Government

SC Bills Fostering Renewable Energy

John Davis

A trio of bills before the South Carolina legislature are designed to promote renewable energy in the state, as well as conservation by consumers.

mcconnell.jpgSenate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell’s (R-Charleston) three bills were presented to a state Senate Finance Committee this week. This story from television station WFMY says the first bill dealt with tax breaks for making home improvements for energy savings. And that’s just the beginning:

A second bill would give a sales tax break to companies buying machinery, tools or parts to produce electricity from alternative sources, including solar, wind, tides and biomass.

That kind of break and other energy production incentives have been a huge benefit for companies like Ecogy Biomass, a company that began turning soy oil into biodiesel in Estill in January.

Hal Wrigley, president of Ecogy Biomass and Knightbridge Biofuel said the soy oil for his biodiesel cost $1.75 a gallon last year and was $5.25 a gallon last month.

“Right now, the only lucrative place to sell it is over in Europe,” Wrigley said.

Wrigley wants to see more incentives that encourage companies to mix biodiesel with regular diesel and tax breaks for truckers and other consumers buying biodiesel.

Other bills being considered address existing incentives for people installing solar water heaters or panels to generate electricity.

State and federal income tax breaks for installing those devices have helped Bruce Wood’s Sunstore Solar in Greer. South Carolina had lagged North Carolina and Georgia for years in state tax breaks, Wood said. That meant that he was doing 70 percent of his business out of state. But now 75 percent of his business is in South Carolina and his payroll has tripled to nine people.

“There’s a green movement that’s afoot,” Wood said.

The tax break makes the cost of putting in solar panels more reasonable while shortening the time it takes for the systems to pay for themselves with reduced energy bills. A solar hot water system that costs $6,000 comes with an $1,800 federal tax credit and $1,500 from the state. That means the system will be paying for itself in less than six years, instead of the 12 years it would take without the break, Wood said.

For those who argue that this is just another government handout, officials point out the economic benefit of programs like these. They say the state is poised to add more than 22,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector… if the right incentives are there.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

Canada Turning Plastic Into Biodiesel

John Davis

minasbasin.jpgA project north of the border could turn waste plastic into biodiesel.

This story from CanPlastics.com says Nova Scotia is investing $20 million in government money in the Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company’s expansion project for a biodiesel plastics processing plant for plastic waste.

“We are committed to investing in innovative and resourceful companies that contribute to job growth, a green environment, and a strong economy for Nova Scotia,” said [Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald] in a statement. “Minas Basin is taking a leadership role by helping to ensure environmental sustainability for this province.”

According to Minas Basin, the new plant will divert 4,000 tons of plastic waste. The governmental investment will allow the company to commit to more than $27 million in capital expenditures.

Company officials say the money will help them move into “the next phase of sustainable restructuring for Minas Basin,” as well as creating a renewable energy supply for the province.

Biodiesel, Government

Building E85 Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

A recent article by Red Herring reporter Justin Moresco called the need for ethanol distribution and retail infrastructure “Ethanol’s Unsexy Dilemma.”

Moresco quotes Karl Doenges of CleanFuel USA, Michelle Kautz with the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC), Robert White of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and Matt Hartwig with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), among others, about the challenge of making E85 available for the six million flex-fuel vehicles already on the road.

If each station assisted 300 of the flex-fuel vehicles on the road today, said Michelle Kautz of NEVC, there would have to be 20,000 stations.

Clean Fuel Pump“I would say our biggest hurdle is the potential cost to the retailer of putting infrastructure in and the education needed to get customers to support that,” said Robert White, of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, a trade group.

Putting in an E85 tank and dispenser costs from between $6,000 and $30,000, said Mr. Doenges, vice president and general manager for CleanFuel USA, which has equipped several hundred stations.

The simplest overhauls need a tank cleaned and a new dispenser. The big jobs—with all the “bells and whistles”—require ripping out concrete, adding new tanks and dispensers, and extending islands and canopies.

There are federal tax breaks and a growing number of state incentives for stations to add E85 infrastructure.

But Mr. Doenges said the other hurdle to ramping up E85 is the oil companies.

That’s why CleanFuel also acts as a distributor to bring ethanol to retailers. At the same time, change is happening.

Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuel Association said that ethanol storage tanks are popping up at terminals across the country.

“You see the infrastructure being put in place,” he said. And once the ethanol is at the terminals—even if it’s intended for E10—that will make the jump to higher blends easier in the future, he said.

E85, Ethanol, News

Cellulosic Arkansas

Cindy Zimmerman

Arkansas is hoping to become a leader in cellulosic ethanol production.

University ArkansasAccording to a story in the Advance Monticellonian, Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR) recently assembled a panel of biofuels experts at the University of Arkansas at Monticello to discuss how Southeast Arkansas can play a part in it in the future of cellulosic ethanol.

Ross said, and Southeast Arkansas is “wellpoised to become a national leader” in the field of cellulosic ethanol.

Toward that end, Ross said, he has introduced the American Made Energy Act of 2008. The bill, which has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Readiness, “promotes the development of homegrown biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power through expanding research and development, extending tax credits, and providing grants and loan guarantees to produce these new technologies on a large scale,” Ross said. The legislation, he noted, would invest $3.8 billion in alternative and renewable energy, an amount which he said that the U.S. would spend in only ten days fighting the Iraq war.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News