USDA Energy Grant Announcements

Cindy Zimmerman

WIREC 08At last week’s Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that USDA will accept almost $221 million in loan and grant applications within USDA’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.

“As demand for energy rises, these renewable energy loans and grants help farms and rural small businesses increase their investment in renewable energy initiatives,” said Schafer.

WIREC 08Eligible applicants may seek loan guarantees to cover up to 50 percent of a project’s cost up $10 million and grants are available for up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, not to exceed $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements and $500,000 for renewable energy systems. USDA Rural Development has invested $674 million in more than 1,763 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects since 2001 including ethanol, biodiesel, wind, solar, geothermal, methane gas recovery systems and biomass.

Schafer also announced the award of $4 million to help 17 small businesses and community groups find more innovative uses of woody biomass from national forests in new products and renewable energy. The grants will help create markets for small-diameter woody material, damaged and other low-valued trees removed to reduce the risk of fire hazard, insect infestation or disease.

Biodiesel, biomass, Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol, Government, News, Solar, Wind

25 x ’25 Energy Summit This Week

Cindy Zimmerman

25x'25Coming up this week in Omaha is the National 25x’25 Renewable Energy Summit.

The conference will feature leading renewable energy experts from across the nation. More than two dozen pre-eminent authorities on biofuels, biomass, wind, solar and other land-based renewable energy sources will address the summit.

Presenters will include Dr. Steven Chu, Nobel laureate and director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Dr. Lowell Catlett, a Regents Professor at New Mexico State University and renowned futurist; Charles Zimmerman, Wal-Mart Vice President; Doug Berven, Director of Corporate Affairs for POET; Susan Sloan, communications specialist with the American Wind Energy Association; Melinda Kimble, Senior Vice President, United Nations Foundation; Former Rep. Charlie Stenholm, 26-year veteran of the House of Representatives; Jay Wolf, past president of Nebraska Cattlemen and a current member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association board, and Terry Francl, senior economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The conference will be held March 11-13.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, conferences, Energy, Ethanol, News, Solar, Wind

Texas Ethanol Plant Grand Opening

Cindy Zimmerman

White EnergyThe first large-scale ethanol plant in Texas will hold its grand opening this weekend near Hereford.

Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen says the opening of plants like White Energy outside of the traditional ethanol producing area of the country is critical to the continued growth of this industry.

“No longer are Midwesterners the only Americans to realize the benefits of renewable fuels,” said Dinneen. “Texas is now moving beyond the petroleum industry towards a more sustainable energy future. Congratulations to White Energy and the people of Texas on beginning production at this new facility and for their commitment to helping set America on a path toward greater energy independence.”

The plant will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol per year and use 36 million bushels of corn and milo per year, almost all of it grown locally.

In addition to this newest plant, White Energy owns and operates two ethanol production plants: a 50-million-gallon plant in Russell, Kansas and a 110-million-gallon plant scheduled to begin operation in 2008 in Plainview, Texas.

Ethanol, Facilities, News, RFA

Volvo Debuts Biofuel-friendly Trucks

John Davis

volvo.gifAutomaker Volvo has unveiled seven trucks that the company sees as the future for long-haul transportation in the country.

This story in Land Line Magazine says Volvo officials debuted the trucks at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in Washington, DC:

wirec.jpgThe trucks, powered by everything from biodiesel and ethanol to biogas and hydrogen, are touted by the company as being carbon dioxide neutral. That means they don’t add any carbon dioxide to the air through the combustion process.

A number of concerns, including skyrocketing fuel prices, the realization that fossil fuels won’t be around forever, and climate change prompted Volvo officials to prove that trucks could be run on virtually any type of renewable fuel.

Volvo Group CEO Leif Johannson said by building trucks that can run on alternative and renewable fuels, Volvo addresses uncertainty that political leaders may have as they move forward on policies that will reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“I used to say we could run a truck on anything, even vanilla sauce,” Johannson said with a laugh during a roundtable discussion following the unveiling. “We can’t do that, but that’s about the only thing.”

The trucks run on biodiesel, synthetic diesel, methanol/ethanol, dimenthyether, biogas, and hydrogen (some of them even run on a combination of different fuels).

Volvo officials want to make sure they are prepared… no matter what the alternative fuel of choice will be.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Hydrogen, Miscellaneous, News

WIREC 2008 Wraps Up

Cindy Zimmerman

WIRECThe Washington International Energy Conference wrapped up Thursday after three days of discussions, presentations and networking between more than 7,000 representatives from over 100 countries.

The United States pledged to continue its leadership in renewable energy through efforts coordinated by multiple agencies. For example, USDA will work on the development and cultivation of switchgrass for the production of cellulosic ethanol, and drive up markets and demand for woody biomass and biobased products.

“Renewable energy presents a promising opportunity for the farm economy,” said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. “Coupled with a strong commitment from USDA, our goal sets renewable fuels on the pathway as a regular and reliable source in the energy mix,” Schafer said.

Ministers and representatives from other countries also shared their pledges with the conference, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Denmark, Germany, Jordan, New Zealand, and Norway.

Cellulosic, conferences, Energy, Ethanol, Government

Recycling Beverage Waste into Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

Diversified EthanolA Minnesota company has developed a process to convert waste beverages into fuel.

Diversified Ethanol, a subsidiary of Greenbelt Resources Corporation, is focused on producing valuable renewable energy from waste substances that are produced by breweries and soft drink manufacturers.

According to a company release, Diversified Ethanol designs and builds small scale, modular ethanol plants that utilize existing waste as feedstocks which can be converted to ethanol or biodeisel. For example, using their proprietary technology, breweries, beverage recycling and food processing facilities can now convert their liquid waste into ethanol and a new revenue stream. A 5 million gallon per year plant is currently under construction for a major soda recycler in Southern California and is expected to be in operation by this summer.

Ethanol, News

SOLAR 2008 Set for May

John Davis

solar2008.jpgWhat’s being billed as “the premier technical conference for solar energy and energy efficiency professionals in the U.S.,” SOLAR 2008 is set for May 3rd-8th in, appropriately enough, sunny San Diego, California.

This conference is in its 37th year and offers people in the solar industry information on emerging trends, technological breakthroughs, industry insight, and connections needed to stay ahead:

With the energy industry changing at an unprecedented pace, this conference helps you understand the changes and uncover the opportunities. It examines the most timely topics of the day, and introduces you to the industry leaders, innovators, and exhibitors who are shaping the industry.

SOLAR 2008 explores the theme “Catch the Clean Energy Wave”. Sessions will address the growing movement towards sustainable energy – as a key component in climate recovery, a healthy economy, a secure energy future – and the trillion-dollar opportunity it brings. Don’t get left behind. Attend SOLAR 2008 and discover where the industry is headed.

Who should attend:

* Researchers and scientists
* Dealers and installers
* Architects and green builders
* Academics
* Policy-makers and utility representatives
* Investors, entrepreneurs, and analysts
* Industry professionals, career-changers, and students who want to position themselves for the future

To get more information and to register click here.

Solar

Bush Urges US to “Get Off Oil”

Cindy Zimmerman

As crude oil jumped to new record highs on the New York mercantile exchange due to falling oil inventories, trading over $104 a barrel, President Bush renewed his support for ethanol as a means toward energy independence.

Speaking at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008 (WIREC) Wednesday, Bush said, “America has got to change its habits. We’ve got to get off oil.”

WIREC BushTo do that, he mentioned just about every alternative, domestic energy source possible – from ethanol and biodiesel to wind and solar, hydrogen and nuclear. He discussed the need for vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and he visited with manufacturers of those types of vehicles at the WIREC trade show.

He also stressed the administration’s commitment to research and development of cellulosic ethanol.

“I look forward to the day when Texas ranchers can grow switchgrass on their country, and then have that switchgrass be converted to fuel,” he said. “I look forward to the day when people in the parts of our country that have got a lot of forests are able to convert wood chips into fuel. And those days are coming.”

The president called biodiesel “the most promising” of the renewable fuels. “Biodiesel refineries can produce fuel from soybeans, and vegetable oils, and recycled cooking grease, from waste materials,” Bush noted. “All you out there with waste, you may be in business before you know it as this new technology kicks in. Most Americans — or, more Americans are beginning to realize the benefits of biodiesel every year.”

Read the president’s entire address to WIREC here.

Biodiesel, Car Makers, Cellulosic, conferences, Energy, Ethanol, Government, Hydrogen, News, Solar, Wind

E20 Passes Minnesota Testing

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study by the State of Minnesota finds that increasing the amount of renewable ethanol blended into gasoline from 10 percent to 20 percent will work in current vehicles and fuel dispensing equipment and provides similar power and performance.

MN Dept of AgUsing 40 pairs of vehicles commonly found on American roads, a year-long research effort found that increasing ethanol blends from 10 percent (E10) to 20 percent (E20) in a gallon of gasoline provided an effective fuel across a range of tests focusing on drivability and materials compatibility.

“Using homegrown renewable fuel is an important part of Americanizing our energy future and unhooking our country from foreign sources of oil,” Governor Tim Pawlenty said. “This study shows that we can safely increase the amount of ethanol blended with gasoline for use in today’s vehicles. We’re proud that Minnesota is helping lead the nation to a cleaner, more secure energy future and we’re hopeful that other states will continue to join with us in this effort.”

The State of Minnesota conducted the study as part of the process to meet a state law that requires ethanol comprise 20 percent of all gasoline sold in the state beginning in 2013. Governor Pawlenty signed legislation that included this requirement in 2005. Minnesota and its partners will soon apply to the EPA for a waiver to federal rules that will allow E20 to be used in all of the state’s gasoline.

Read the full release – Read More

Ethanol, News

Bentley Maps Future with Ethanol

John Davis

bentley_logo.gifLegendary British carmaker Bentley says it is it will look to ethanol, lighter construction and more efficient gasoline engines… instead of diesel and hybrid motors… to meet the green demands of the future:

This story in AutoWeek says the changes will help the company reduce carbon emissions in its vehicles by 15 percent:

“We don’t think our customers, particularly in North America and Europe, are ready for a diesel Bentley, said Uli Eichhorn, Bentley chief engineer, on Tuesday at the Geneva motor show.

Although Bentley Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen refuses to rule out a diesel powertrain, Eichhorn said: “Not ruling it out does not mean it is our top priority.”

Hybrid powertrains don’t fit the typical usage cycle of a Bentley, according to Eichhorn. “(Hybrids) are very good in cities and stop-start driving, but that’s not where out cars are used.”

In addition, the article goes on to say that Bentley is going for a 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption rates by 2012.

Ethanol, News