Google Tops in Solar; Working on Other Renewables

John Davis

Internet search giant Google is the largest corporate installer of solar power, and company officials say they want to use more renewables in the future.

According to this article on C|Net.com, Robyn Beavers, the director of environmental programs at Google, says they intend to use renewable energy sources for 50 megawatts of electricity for its operations by 2012:

cce2007-logo.jpgBeavers spoke at the Conference on Clean Energy here on Monday where she outlined a number of initiatives that Google participates in aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Those include the 1.6 megawatt solar installation at its corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. In addition to panels on building roofs, Google has constructed a car port with solar panels as a roof, under which people can charge up plug-in hybrids.

Asked whether Google was considering wind power, Beavers said she couldn’t say. But she didn’t leave much doubt that all forms of renewable energy are actively under consideration.

“Wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells–you name it, we’re looking into it,” she said.

Google officials say their investment in solar will pay for itself in seven and a half years. They’ve already dropped 30 percent of their consumption from the grid.

Solar

Combining Corn Cobs

Cindy Zimmerman

Poet-DeereEthanol producer POET is working with several leading agricultural equipment manufactures to refine methods for harvesting, storing and transporting corn cobs for commercial cellulosic ethanol production.

Among them is John Deere, according to public relations manager Barry Nelson, pictured here with POET CEO Jeff Broin. “On behalf of John Deere, we’re very interested in the new technologies that will be involved with the advancement of cellulosic ethanol,” said Nelson. “We’re designing and testing machines that can harvest the crops needed for ethanol production and see potential for expanded markets for our customers as the industry develops this renewable fuel resource.”

Deere Cob HarvestPOET is harvesting, storing, transporting and performing research on 4,000 acres of corn in South Dakota this fall in order to find the most efficient way for farmers to harvest cobs in large quantities. At a media event this week, some of the equipment was put to the test. In the photo from Poet, a John Deere 9860 STS Combine harvests co-mingled corn grain and cobs and dumps them into a Kinze Auger Wagon on the family farm of Darrin Ihnen near Hurley, S.D.

Jeff Broin says, “We are going to do something that has never been done before: produce cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs on a commercial scale. When our Emmetsburg, Iowa plant is operational in 2011, it will necessitate harvesting, storing and transporting 275,000 acres of corn cobs. The 4,000 acres we’re harvesting this fall represents the first step toward making that massive harvest achievable.”

corn, Ethanol, John Deere, News

Dinneen Discusses New Poll and New Coalition

Cindy Zimmerman

RFARenewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen is pleased with new poll results that show Americans want renewable fuels and he’s excited about a new coalition that is working to make that happen.

Dinneen says the poll affirms what many in the industry have known for a long time “that Americans absolutely believe we need to be maximizing the use of domestically produced renewable fuels like ethanol.”

The poll commissioned by RFA found that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe we should increase our use of renewable fuels and even more (87%) think the government should support the industry’s development.

“Those are powerful numbers, particularly given the negative media attention and misinformation that has been out there about renewable fuels over the past several months,” said Dinneen. “Americans get it. Americans understand that we are in a crisis with respect to energy usage in this country and that we have to do more to promote domestic renewables like ethanol.”

To that end, the Renewable Fuels Association has joined with a number of other biofuels and agricultural organizations and companies to create the Renewable Fuels Now coalition.

“We really felt that we needed to get out there in a much more aggressive and public fashion in a coordinated way by pooling the resources of these various groups to make sure that we’re not conceding the field to those who misrepresent the facts,” said Dinneen. “We’re going to make sure that Americans, who do get it, continue to have access to the best, most timely and most accurate information about renewable fuels.”

Listen to my interview with Bob here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/rfa-interview-10-30.mp3]

Audio, Ethanol, News, RFA

Duke Energy Seeks Multiple Energy Platforms for Indiana

John Davis

Duke EnergyThe famed ‘Crossroads of America’ could become the ‘Crossroads for American Energy’ if Duke Energy Corp. gets what it wants for Indiana. Duke Energy Chairman, President and CEO Jim Rogers outlined a plan to equip Indiana with a combination of solar, wind, water and organic energy solutions to the Economic Club of Indiana earlier today in Indianapolis.

To ensure a sustainable and secure energy future, I have two aspirations for this country – that we substantially decarbonize our energy supply in this century and that we become the world’s most energy-efficient economy. Practically speaking, the way we can begin to achieve these aspirations is to take an entirely new path – and change the way we think about and use energy in this country.

Just last week, Duke Energy issued bids for power from renewable energy sources – including sun, wind, water, organic matter and other sources. Earlier this year, we agreed to purchase energy from Indiana’s first commercial wind farm, in Benton County, beginning in the spring of 2008. We are also collaborating with Purdue University on wind-power research, and on the potential for using switch grass as a fuel combined with coal.

Duke has already requested to increase its energy savings by more than ten times with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and has also filed similar requests in the Carolinas. Duke plans to introduce similar proposals to Ohio and Kentucky within the next six months.

Energy, News, Solar, Wind

OG&E Aims to Expand Wind Power

John Davis

OG&E Energy Corp.OGE Energy Corp. is the latest company to outline a program to harness more wind power. OG&E President and CEO Pete Delaney says the company plans to quadruple its wind power production. He announced the company also plans to be a big player in ushering in development for more wind power projects in western Oklahoma.

In a speech before the Downtown Rotary Club, Delaney also announced a major transmission line project in western Oklahoma. He said implementation of the company’s plans should give more OG&E customers the choice of being up to 100 percent “green power” users in a few years.

“The significant amount of wind in western Oklahoma is a largely untapped resource that is in increasing demand in Oklahoma and across the nation,” said Delaney. “We have been working on plans for some time now to significantly increase OG&E’s wind power production over the next four years.”

OG&E already has 170 megawatts of wind power. The accomplishment of this latest announcement could increase that capacity to about 770 megawatts, Delaney said.

The investment in wind energy development could move Oklahoma from being sixth in the nation to as high as third in wind power production behind Texas and California.

Energy, Wind

Ethanol Demand Continues to Exceed Production

Cindy Zimmerman

RFAEthanol production continued to grow in July, averaging 434,000 barrels per day according to the Energy Information Administration. Ethanol demand, as calculated by the Renewable Fuels Association, also increased to 464,000 barrels per day.

To date, RFA says the U.S. is averaging 402,000 barrels per day production with average demand exceeding production at nearly 429,000 barrels per day.

Ethanol, News, RFA

Having Your Fuel and Eating It, Too

John Davis

bioexx.jpgThere’s been a lot of debate over the use of some foods as feedstocks for biofuels. But a company in Canada might have the solution that allows those feedstocks to be made into biodiesel, while retaining the proteins that are needed for animal feeds.

This article in Canada’s Globe and Mail says BioExx employs a “cold process” that not only saves the proteins sometimes cooked away in the biodiesel process, but it’s better for the environment:

The BioExx process uses a gaseous fluorocarbon iodine derivative as the extraction medium; a combination of pressure and low heat (about 20 degrees) is used to first extract the oil and then to physically separate out the proteins in liquid form.

“Because we use lower temperatures, we don’t ‘cook’ the proteins like an egg white would be cooked,” Mr. Carl says, meaning that the proteins are thus fit for further use. In additional to animal feed, extracted proteins can also be used in industrial applications such as paints and coatings.

BioExx says its process produces almost no waste or pollutants and consumes less energy than conventional methods, making it environmentally friendly as well. Even the spent plant biomass (such as stalks or leaves) can be sold for animal feed or other products, Mr. Carl says.

BioExx has already put one small-scale commercial in Canada. Now, with the help of Calgary-based BioNex Energy Corp., the two will be building and operating plants across the country that combine seed-crushing and biodiesel production plants.

Biodiesel

Executive Director Leaves EPIC on Solid Ground

John Davis

e-podcastIt seems ethanol is on the lips of just about every politician both nationwide and at the state level. The fuel has broken into two major motorsports arenas. Environmentalists are touting ethanol as a major player in the development of renewable fuels. Much of the credit for the industrial, political and consumer awareness of ethanol belongs to the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, and to the man who has lead the organization since it’s beginning. Executive Director Tom Slunecka says the first three years of EPIC’s operation has marked a tremendous start, and he’s confident the organization will move full steam ahead with exciting projects for 2008… just, with a new leader at the helm. Tom has announced his departure from the organization, after directing it for it’s first three years. He says he’s the kind of guy who likes step in, get things off the ground and then leave a successful opportunity open for someone else. The go-getter isn’t straying too far though. Tom will be moving into a new opportunity with one of EPIC’s members: The KL Process Design Group.

This edition features comments from interviews conducted at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in Washington, DC.

The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or you can listen to it by clicking here (5:30 MP3 File): [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-podcast-10-30-07.mp3]

The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

“Fill up, Feel Good” is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, Cellulosic, EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, News

Wisconsin Budget Gains Biodiesel Group’s Praise

John Davis

wba_field1thumbnail.jpgIt took a lot longer than anticipated, but lawmakers in Wisconsin have finally reached agreement on that state’s budget… and the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association (WBA) says its $26 million renewable energy package will help make the state competitive in the biodiesel business.

This story in Wisconsin Ag Connection says the WBA is applauding the approval of the biodiesel measures in the bill, including biodiesel distribution incentives, a $4 million grant to develop a soybean crushing facility, and a biodiesel producers’ state income tax credit:

“We are thrilled that the Legislature has made such a significant commitment to the biodiesel industry in Wisconsin,” said John Blaska, president of the Landmark Services Cooperative Board of Directors. “Thanks to the dedication of Governor Doyle and the efforts of State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, State Rep. Brett Davis, and State Sen. Bob Jauch, we are now one significant step closer to bringing Wisconsin’s first soybean crushing facility to Evansville.”

Landmark recently announced it will match any investment made by the state toward a soybean crushing facility in Evansville, up to $4 million. The addition of a soybean crushing plant will add substantial value to the state’s agricultural endeavors by cutting transportation costs and increasing soybean production, potentially bringing Wisconsin an additional $235 million in revenue and savings.

WSA Director Bob Karls says Wisconsin soybean farmers have been working for 15 years to bring a soybean processing facility to the state. While Wisconsin is the 13th largest soybean producer in the country, it is the only one of these states without its own soybean processing facility.

“It is difficult to envision a more concrete example of the way in which Governor Doyle’s pursuit of a renewable energy bio-industry could create more positive economic impact for the state,” said Jeff Pieterick, president of the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association. “The passage of this renewable energy package provides substantial infrastructure that supports the bottom line for agricultural producers throughout Wisconsin.”

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Corn Powered Museum Exhibit

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn MuseumThe Indiana State Museum will have a new exhibit in 2009 titled, “Corn: Powering the World.”

The exhibit will showcase all things corn — demonstrating how this versatile crop feeds and fuels the world’s population. Opening at the Indianapolis museum in August 2009, the exhibit will continue through January 2010 before traveling to other venues nationwide.

Visitors will be able to view archeological artifacts, discover how popcorn pops and calculate how much corn it takes to power an Indy racecar. A modern lab built into the exhibit will allow visitors to experience genetic engineering first-hand.

Barry Dressel, museum president & CEO, made the announcement last week in conjunction with the annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

The exhibit is presented by Dow AgroSciences through the Dow Chemical Company Foundation and Ford Motor Company, with contributing national support from Case IH and National Starch Food Innovation.

corn, Ethanol, News