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

U.S. Army Takes a Look at Hydrogen

John Davis

Chevron Technology VenturesThe Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, a department of the U.S. Army, is working with executives from Chevron Technology Ventures and the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center to see how the military could use hydrogen fuel technology and how the technology operates in a real-world setting. The joint-project will take place at the Selfridge Air National Guard (SANG) Base in Michigan, which is home to a state-of-the-art hydrogen energy station evaluation and demonstration program.

Through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), the U.S. Army, CTV and Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center collaborated to implement this cold weather test site for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Program.

Hyundai-Kia America Technical CenterLocated on the SANG Base, the hydrogen station will power a fleet of five Hyundai Tucson fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that will be used by the Army and National Guard for mission-related purposes.

“Collaborating with the military on this project will enhance our research into hydrogen as a transportation fuel. Their significant experience in advanced technology makes them a superb partner,” said Dana Flanders, president of Chevron Technology Ventures.

The U.S. Army The Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering CenterThe hydrogen station uses Chevron’s proprietary advanced steam methane reforming technology to produce about 40 kilograms of hydrogen per day, enough to supply up to 10 fuel cell vehicles.

This is the fifth hydrogen demonstration station commissioned by Chevron Technology Ventures. Other stations are located in California and Florida, and fuel buses and automobiles used in real-world applications. Each Chevron Hydrogen energy station features a different production technology so that project participants can assess and determine the benefits of various production systems.

Car Makers, Government, Hydrogen, Research, Science

New VeraSun Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

VeraSunVeraSun Energy Corporation has announced the startup of its fifth production facility located near Albion, Neb.

According to a company release, the Albion facility is expected to produce approximately 110 million-gallons-per-year and is one of three biorefineries VeraSun purchased from ASAlliances Biofuels, LLC in August.

Along with sister facilities in Aurora, S.D., Fort Dodge and Charles City, Iowa, and Linden, Ind., the Albion facility is the third VeraSun plant to come on-line in 2007, bringing the company’s total operating capacity to approximately 560MMGY. Charles City began operations in April of this year followed by the Linden facility in late July. VeraSun also has three additional production facilities under construction in Hartley, Iowa; Welcome, Minn., and Bloomingburg, Ohio, and one under development in Reynolds, Ind.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Biofuels for the Mid-level Consumer

John Davis

Pacific Natural Energy's BioBoxThe biofuels boom is leaving out a big piece of the consumer pie: mid-level consumers. Well, that’s what Pacific Natural Energy believes. PNE also believes it has the perfect “pie filling.” The energy company has introduced it’s BioBox Mobile Processor as the perfect, viable biodiesel solution for the middle men.

Everyone’s heard of the avid garage-based hobbyist brewing a biodiesel concoction to fuel his car. And it’s old news that oil conglomerates are investing in big biodiesel factories. Yet both approaches forget the largest segment for rapid expansion of biodiesel production and usage, the mid-market producer/user. That’s why most national restaurant chains haven’t jumped aboard the renewable-energy bandwagon and embraced biodiesel technologies – until now.

Recognizing a need for a more manageable and realistic approach to biodiesel production, the Los Angeles-based Pacific Natural Energy (PNE) has created the BioBox, a mobile processing plant that turns waste vegetable oil into high-quality biodiesel. Able to be located at or near the source of waste, the BioBox is the most efficient, functional mobile biodiesel processing unit made in America. Pacific Natural Energy is the only company offering a total turn-key solution that comes installed in cargo containers for the storage of methanol, waste vegetable oil and refined biodiesel. With the BioBox, those affiliated with waste, recycling and the restaurant industry finally have a way to make biodiesel.
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Biodiesel, Energy

PG&E Commits to Long-Term Wind Power

John Davis

Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyPacific Gas and Electric Company is embracing wind power with mucho gusto. The electric company has committed to a long-term power purchase agreement with enXco, purchasing 150 megawatts of wind energy through enXco’s Shiloh II project. This latest agreement bumps up PG&E’s contracted and delivered wind energy to 1,061 MW and will deliver about 510 GWh of wind energy to customers in northern and central California each year.

“Wind energy is one of many renewable sources PG&E is seeking as we increase the amount of clean energy provided to our customers,” said Fong Wan, vice president of Energy Procurement for PG&E. “Our 150 MW agreement with enXco is an important step towards PG&E exceeding 20 percent renewable electric power under contract or delivered by 2010.”

Located in Solano County, California, Shiloh II will be developed, constructed and operated by enXco, an affiliate of EdF Energies Nouvelles. Shiloh II will begin delivering renewable energy in December 2008.

Currently, 12 percent of the energy PG&E supplies qualifies as energy from renewable resources under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program. The electric company says it’s on track to exceed 20 percent of renewable electric power resources under contract or delivered by 2010.

Energy, Wind