New Holland Supports Use of 100% Biodiesel

John Davis

newholland.gifFarm implement maker New Holland announced today that it supports the use of 100 percent biodiesel in all equipment with New Holland-manufactured diesel engines. That would include electronic injection engines with common rail technology.

This press release from the company says it will help give customers a wider choice of equipment that uses the green fuel:

Overall, nearly 80% of New Holland-branded products with diesel engines are now available to operate on B100 biodiesel. New Holland has also asked other suppliers of diesel engines used in New Holland-branded products to test and approve higher levels of biodiesel.

In addition to extensive testing and development within the company, New Holland has been involved in an ongoing research project in collaboration with Penn State University to put B100 to the test under real-life conditions. Penn State’s College of Agriculture is operating new, unmodified New Holland tractors on B100 biodiesel on their 1,500-acre research farm to find out what diesel equipment owners can expect to experience when they use B100. After nearly two years of use, the tractors have performed with no adverse effects in performance or maintenance, according to Glen Cauffman, the university’s manager of farm operations and services.

Paul Trella, New Holland Director of Product Marketing for Under-100 HP Tractors, said that by supporting B100 use, New Holland is making a leap forward in its commitment to renewable energy. “We are committed to providing equipment that is compliant with biodiesel use, and to providing top-rate biodiesel support for our customers. As the use of biodiesel continues to gain greater acceptance and the infrastructure for providing a quality product to consumers, New Holland equipment is ready,” Trella said.

Company officials do stress that quality biodiesel from reputable dealers needs to be used in its equipment.

Biodiesel

Veto Override Gains Approval of Biodiesel Feedstock Growers

John Davis

Congress’s override of President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes much-needed improvements to waterways that are vital to the transport of U.S. soybeans, has gained the praise of at least one growers group of the biodiesel feedstock.

mosoy.jpgThe Missouri Soybean Association (MSA) is applauding the House of Representatives’ 361-54 override vote and the Senate’s 79-14 vote:

“We are truly pleased to see such overwhelming support from Congress on this critical piece of legislation,” says MSA President Greg Sharpe, a soybean farmer from Ewing, Mo. “The WRDA provides much needed relief to the river transportation infrastructure that soybean farmers depend upon to transport grains. We’d like to specially thank Senator Kit Bond who has provided relentless support and leadership to modernize our river systems’ locks and dams.”

“This long overdue bill will do wonders to revitalize river transportation,” says Dale R. Ludwig, executive director/CEO of the MSA. “More than 50 percent of U.S. locks and dams have aged beyond their life cycle and many are crumbling. In addition, many are unable to handle today’s barges because they are twice as long as when the system was built in the 1930s. When barges must be split, costly delays occur.”

MSA points out that more than three-quarters of U.S. soybean exports move to world ports through the Upper Mississippi and Illinois river systems. WRDA legislation will authorize funding for construction of seven new locks and other critical improvements on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

Biodiesel

World Ethanol Leaders Issue Statement

Cindy Zimmerman

In conjunction with F.O. LICHT´S World Ethanol 2007 conference being held in Amsterdam this week, leaders of the world’s largest ethanol production and trade associations issued a joint statement on the necessity of developing a robust and vibrant renewable biofuels industry around the globe.

World Ethanol 07The statement was issued jointly by Gordon Quaiattini, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Canada; Robert Vierhout, Secretary General, European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBIO), European Union; Bob Dinneen, President, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), United States; and Marcos Jank, President, Sugar Cane Industry Association (UNICA), Brazil.

The leaders stress that renewable fuels must be a central component of a global strategy to lessen reliance on fossil fuels, to mitigate the impacts of global climate change, and to provide real economic opportunity for rural residents in every country on Earth.

“Ethanol will continue to create economic opportunity for farmers in developed and developing countries and who are often most affected by low world agricultural prices. Enhanced rural development means improved income, less pressure on urban areas, and greater opportunities to the world’s poorest who often pay the greatest penalty for high energy prices.

“The success achieved by the world’s ethanol industry is in and of itself a good story. But the narrative does not stop here. The rapid evolution of the world ethanol industry is quickly yielding new technologies that are improving production efficiencies at existing biorefineries and introducing diverse new feedstocks such as grasses, bagasse, straw, wood chips and other biomass into the ethanol and bio-electricity generation production process. By continuing to work together and sharing ideas, these new technologies promise not only to increase ethanol production where it already exists but to make the benefits of ethanol production available in more countries.”

This is the tenth year for the World Ethanol conference, which as the name implies, features ethanol industry leaders from all over the globe.

Ethanol, International, News

Goshen Energy, Native American Biofuels Ink Landmark Deal

John Davis

Goshen Energy has struck an agreement with Native American Biofuels International, which represents biofuels interests for about a dozen Native American Tribes, to help NABI distribute biofuels.

This story from CNNMoney.com says the partnership is designed to help development of both bio-fuels and other renewable energy resources, along with necessary accompanying infrastructure, to establish a low cost feedstock source on tribal lands to produce biodiesel at higher profit margins, and secure operating contracts with governmental departments:

Native American Biofuels International CEO James Cooke said, “Goshen Energy Resources provides NABI with a more technologically advanced and strategic approach to developing and distributing biofuels. This JV agreement will allow the tribes we represent an opportunity to broaden their profit potential in a positive way, utilizing Goshen’s advanced systems, processes and extensive government and community relationships. This is a highly profitable niche market and we feel Goshen Energy Resources is an ideal partner.”

“Our partnership with Native American Biofuels International provides us a stable crop source for biodiesel production to service our customers over the long-term. Additionally, James Cooke brings to us over 15 years of experience in securing significant multi-million dollar governmental contracts. We believe this partnership will help us directly increase our shareholders’ value and enhance our bottom line profits,” said City Capital (owner of Goshen Energy) CEO Ephren Taylor.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Canadian Government, Farmers Investing in Biodiesel

John Davis

A biodiesel plant in Alberta is the beneficiary of a $600,000+ contribution from the federal Canadian government, that goes along with $275,000 in direct equity investment from farmers.

westernbiodiesel.gifThe money is going to help Western Biodiesel Inc. build a plant near Aldersyde, Alberta that will crank out about five million gallons of biodiesel a year. This story from Marketwire.com says it’s part of the Canadian government’s ecoAgriculture Biofuels Capital (ecoABC) initiative:

“This announcement is another example of our government’s commitment to deliver results to the agricultural community as well as taking tangible action for our environment,” said Parliamentary Secretary (Ted) Menzies. “With this ecoABC initiative, this new state-of-the-art biodiesel plant in Aldersyde will benefit farm families, and also help strengthen the local community and our agriculture sector.”

“Through the federal ecoABC program, Western Biodiesel Inc. has been able to leverage farmers’ investment almost three times,” said Dean Cockshutt, Chief Executive Officer of Western Biodiesel Inc. “This financial support will help create another significant increment of Canada’s biofuels production capacity.”

The plant will use canola oil and rendered beef tallow as a feedstock.

Biodiesel

Alternative Fuels in Alabama

Cindy Zimmerman

Alabama GovernorMotorists traveling on Interstate 65 in Alabama will soon have the opportunity to fill up their vehicles on cleaner burning fuels produced in America.

Governor Bob Riley made that announcement last week at a gas station in Vestavia Hills that will soon be offering E85 and B20 biodiesel. Three other cities – Athens, Cullman and Mobile – are also scheduled to have pumps installed within the next eight months.

“These cleaner, more secure American sources of energy are going to be available to most Alabamians for the very first time,” said Governor Riley. “Alternative fuels are not only better for our natural environment, they also help make us more energy independent. They open up new markets for our farmers. This is a win-win situation, and Alabamians can be proud of the steps our state is taking as America searches for a more secure, less dependent energy future.”

Governor Riley also took the occasion to announce the state is receiving a second federal grant so up to 30 service stations along Corridor X and Corridor V can offer B20 biodiesel to motorists.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, News

E85 in Atlanta

Cindy Zimmerman

e85 PumpThe greater Atlanta metro area officially welcomed its first E85 station station last week, thanks to help from General Motors, CleanFUEL Distribution, SP Petroleum, and Indore Oil. The pump is located at the Texaco Food Mart in Smyrna.

CleanFUEL Distribution supplied the necessary E85 conversion parts and equipment, which were used to convert the dispenser to E85 compatibility. SP Petroleum performed the equipment conversion service, and CleanFUEL Distribution, along with its partner Indore Oil, are providing and transporting the fuel to the station.

Atlanta is the third of six stops on GM’s E85 Fall Kick-off of the Fuel for Thought Tour, an effort to educate consumers about the use of E85 as an alternative to gasoline. According to GM officials, another 20 to 25 E85 pumps will open around Georgia in the next six months.

E85, Ethanol, News

Ethanol Blended Gasoline Record

Cindy Zimmerman

The Energy Information Administration gasoline supply and production information released Nov. 7 indicates a new record for ethanol blended with conventional gasoline.

The Weekly Supply Estimates Report shows that conventional gasoline blending with ethanol reached an all-time high of 2.119 million barrels per day as of the week ending Friday, Nov. 2.

Such so-called discretionary blending is not required under the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Ethanol, News

Georgia Groundbreaking Marks Cellulosic Milestone

Cindy Zimmerman

Range Fuels PerdueGeorgia Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed a new phase in ethanol production to his state with Range Fuels’ groundbreaking of the nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant this week.

“Georgia is proud to partner with Range Fuels to lead the nation in delivering cellulosic ethanol as a solution to America’s dependence on foreign and fossil fuels,” said Governor Perdue. “Our abundance of natural resources, as well as our growing bioenergy research and development community and access to global markets firmly establish Georgia at the forefront of the national movement to a higher level of renewable energy.”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman also attended the ceremony Tuesday at the site of the plant in Soperton, Georgia.

“Together, the Department of Energy and Range Fuels are blending science and technology in order to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. The biorefinery soon to stand on this site is the result of President Bush’s initiatives to expand the use of homegrown alternative fuels, protect the environment, and enhance the nation’s energy security,” Bodman said.

The first two phases of the Range Fuels project, in which the Department of Energy is playing a cost-sharing role, is projected to process 1000 tons per day of wastewood to produce about 30 million gallons of biofuels and chemicals.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Green Gadgets Produce Portable Power

John Davis

This week is “Green Week” as NBC promotes various ways of saving energy, and, thus, saving the planet. If you happened to be watching the Sunday Night Football Game on NBC, you might have noticed the halftime show was done without the normal studio lighting (I think it was Bob Costas who said there were more dim bulbs than normal in the studio that night).

This posting on SciFi.com lists the top seven gadgets that are able to produce portable power. One gadget, in particular, that caught my eye was number five on the list… the Micro Wind Turbine:

microwindturbine.jpg5. Micro Wind Turbine
Want a surefire icebreaker at the beach, the cottage or the stadium parking lot next week? Just bring along Atlantic Power Master’s Micro Wind Turbine, set it up, offer to plug everyone in — and you’ll be renewable energy-powered party central. The turbine generates about half the amount of power used by a typical home, and it’s small, lightweight, and easy to set up. It’s also kind of portable (more like transportable) — just plan for someone else to bring the cooler. Oh, and get there early — we’re told it can take three hours to set up. Ah, that’s just pre-game anyway. It’s available now for a little under (gulp) $10,000.

Wind