Imperium “Propels” Biodiesel Sales

John Davis

ImperiumSeattle-based Imperium Renewables is making an investment in its own future by loaning money to Propel Biofuels to build its first biodiesel filling stations in Washington state.

According to this story posted on SeattlePI.com, the undisclosed loan amount will help open the first station soon and four more in the coming weeks… and that could be just the start:

Propel BiofuelsRob Elam, president of Propel Biofuels, said that the company is looking to have its biodiesel equipment installed at about 20 fueling stations in Washington, Oregon and California by the end of this year.

As part of the deal, Propel has agreed to distribute some of the Washington grown biodiesel being produced by Imperium.

As you might remember from our earlier posts, Imperium has become a major mover and shaker in the biodiesel business securing a record $214 million in investments and getting ready to open the nation’s largest biodiesel refinery… a 100 million gallon a year plant.

Biodiesel

Bush on Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

During a White House press briefing on Monday with European leaders, President Bush commented on his goals for renewable fuels and the current research in producing ethanol from sources other than corn in response to a foreign journalist’s question about global environmental concerns:

I have said we’ll have a mandatory fuel standard, not a voluntary fuel standard, but a mandatory fuel standard that will reduce our uses of gasoline by 20 percent over a 10-year period of time. We believe that ethanol and biodiesel, the spread of ethanol and biodiesel are — the goal of spreading ethanol and biodiesel is achievable, that’s what we believe. And we’re spending a lot of money to achieve that goal.

Now, the spread of ethanol in the United States is not going to be achievable if we rely only upon corn. There is a limit to the amount of ethanol we can produce with corn as a feedstock. So our research dollars are going to what they call cellulosic ethanol, and that means the ability to make ethanol from switchgrasses or wood chips. And we’re spending a lot of money to that end.

White HouseAnd it is a mandatory approach. And the reason why I laid it out is because, one, I do believe we can be better stewards of the environment; and, two, I know it’s in our national interest to become less dependent on foreign sources of oil. The fundamental question is, will America be able to develop the technology necessary for us to achieve the goal. I think we can. It’s in our interest to share that technology, not only with our partners who are wealthy enough to spend money on research dollars, but also with the developing world.

Now you talk about helping alleviate poverty in the developing world — wouldn’t it be wonderful if the developing world could grow crops that would enable them to power their automobiles, so they wouldn’t have to be dependent on foreign oil, either. And that’s the message I took down to South America, with Lula, and to Central America. For example, sugar cane is the most — you’re learning about ethanol here, but sugar cane is the most efficient way to make ethanol. It turns out in Central America there is a lot of land and opportunity to continue to produce cane, which means that the Central American countries could be eventually net exporters of energy. So we’ve got a lot of common ground and a lot of area to work on.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, global warming, Government, News

Another Cellulosic Breakthrough

Cindy Zimmerman

Cornell CellCornell University researchers have reportedly discovered a class of plant enzymes that potentially could allow plant materials used to make ethanol to be broken down more efficiently than is possible using current technologies.

According to Jocelyn Rose, Cornell assistant professor of plant biology, the breakthrough could make the production of cellulosic ethanol less expensive.

“The bottleneck for conversion of lignocellulose into ethanol is efficient cellulose degradation,” said Rose in a Cornell news release. “The discovery of these enzymes suggests there might be sets of new plant enzymes to improve the efficiency of cellulose degradation.”

The diagram from Cornell Theory Center shows the newly discovered class of plant enzymes with a cellulose-binding module (shown in blue), sticking to a plant cell wall. The binding module of the enzyme helps the catalytic region of the enzyme (shown in more detail in gray in the pullout part of the picture) break down the crystalline cellulose.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Research

Dan Wheldon Trophy Collection

Chuck Zimmerman

Dan Wheldon Wins AgainIt was a very competitive race here in Kansas City and at the end we get to see a familiar sight. Dan Wheldon holding up the trophy.

As I’ve pointed out before, no matter who wins the race, ethanol really wins since all the cars are running on 100% ethanol this year.

For those who are wondering, Jeff Simmons placed 10th, so he’s got two consecutive top ten finishes. We’re very proud of him.

Please take a few minutes to browse through the over 300 pictures I’ve got in my online photo album. I’m going to be packing up and heading on home. It’s been a great week here in Kansas City as we’ve followed the promotion of ethanol and the relationship with the Indy Racing League.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Dan Wheldon Wins Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Green e FlagThe green “e” Flag got the race started once again here today. However, the race is now over.

We only had a couple caution flags so it was a pretty clean and fast race which is just over. Dan Wheldon has won once again.

I’ll be heading out to victory lane to get a picture of Dan who won the race in Homestead, FL too. He’s definitely on a roll this season.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Introducing Jeff Simmons

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff SimmonsJeff Simmons has been running in the top ten for most of the race here in Kansas City so far today.

We’re nearing the end and hoping he can keep his place for a top 10 finish.

Just prior to the race all the drivers are introduced in front of the grandstand on a temporary stage.

I’ve been collecting pictures and interviews and will be getting those posted over the next week so look for a lot more information about how ethanol is involved with the IRL.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Biodiesel Boat Abandons Record Chase

John Davis

EarthraceA 100% biodiesel-fueled boat has had to give up its quest to break a world record for racing around the world. According to this story posted on C/Net.com, the captain of the Earthrace says it would be impossible to break the 75-day record set in 1998 by a group of British sailors in a regular diesel boat:

TV 3 in New Zealand reports that Pete Bethune, captain of the Earthrace, has conceded that it will be impossible to beat the record.

The Earthrace, a boat that runs on biodiesel and employs other green technologies, launched on March 10 from Barbados. Since then, it has been plagued by mechanical problems and also got delayed by a wreck in Central America. For the past several days, the boat has been stuck in Palau foraging for parts.

“Even if we had a perfect run from here, there’s no way we’d get the record by Barbados,” Bethune, who is from New Zealand, wrote in his blog. Bethune’s last post was April 26, on the early side of the International Date Line. The TV 3 story was posted April 27, New Zealand time.

Some biodiesel refiners had been providing fuel for the Earthrace. However, the green fuel is not available in Palau where it is now stuck.

Biodiesel, International

Jeff Simmons Qualifies at 210.994

Chuck Zimmerman

Team Ethanol Transport TruckThe truck that transports Team Ethanol got a new paint job for this season. I hadn’t seen it before today. Looks pretty slick to me.

It’s the end of the day for me here at Kansas Speedway. The Indy car qualifying is over now and Jeff Simmons got through it okay. His qualifying time is 210.994 MPH. That ethanol fuel definitely has a kick. After they qualify the drivers all come by the IRL Bull Pen for pics and interviews. Of course I interviewed Jeff. He’s our ethanol champion out there and we’re definitely rooting for him tomorrow.

Jeff wishes he had done a little better in qualifying but says the car races better than it qualifies. I guess we’ll see tomorrow.

Listen to my interview with Jeff: Listen to MP3 Jeff Simmons Interview (1 min MP3)

My photo album for this weekend is growing. Check out all the ethanol related activities.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

Jeff Simmons in Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff Pitting in PracticeThe Indy cars are on their final round of practice right now. One of them is our favorite, #17, Jeff Simmons.

Jeff is coming into the pits here. All the cars seem to be running pretty well today. Of course, they’re running on 100% ethanol so what do you expect, eh?

Jeff had a great race last week in Japan and we’ll be rooting for him again tomorrow.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News