Cellulose Poised to Unseat Corn as Ethanol King

John Davis

Corn-based ethanol, right now, is the king of the alternative energy world, but experts say ethanol made from cellulose is the next big thing on the horizon.

This story on CNN.com says while lawmakers in Washington, DC are debating a far-reaching energy bill with lots in it pertaining to renewable fuels, they want more of those biofuels to come from sources other than corn:

In Congress, where the 2007 energy bill is sparking heated debate over cutting tax breaks for oil companies and other provisions, legislative priorities actually call for a more ambitious program to develop ethanol from other sources over the next 15 years than from corn. Corn supplies could never keep up with American’s insatiable thirst for gasoline, so other plant materials will be needed to fill the void.

Senate lawmakers recently approved a Renewable Fuels Standard calling for the production of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022, with more than half of that coming from plants other than corn – so called cellulosic ethanol. That marks a six-fold jump from what’s being produced now and nearly a five-fold increase from the 7.5 billion gallon production sought by 2012.

Some experts say it takes only one-third of the energy to produce a gallon of cellulosic ethanol as compared to its corn-based cousin.

The switch to cellulosic ethanol will be welcome news to livestock producers who are smarting over the high corn prices pushed by the higher demand for corn to make ethanol.

Ethanol, News

Iowa State, DNR Study Biodiesel

John Davis

iowadnr1.JPGIowa State University and Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources will study biodiesel and compare the different blends for engine performance and emissions.

This story in the Sioux City (IA) Journal says they’re getting money from the Central States Air Resources Agencies to conduct the study:

ISU’s Center for Transportation Research and Education will test and quantify performance of blending different fractions of biodiesel with ultra low sulfur diesel. Performance will be evaluated with zero percent biodiesel and then replicated with 2 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent biodiesel. Both field tests and laboratory engine dynamometer tests will be conducted. The DNR’s air quality bureau will provide grant management and technical assistance.

When ISU and DNR are done, trucking companies and transit agencies will be able to use the results to determine which is the best blend of biodiesel for their purposes. The government will also know what percentage of biodiesel gives the best emissions results compared to its performance.

Biodiesel

Willie Helps Celebrate SeQuential’s 2nd Birthday

John Davis

bio_willie_pic1.JPGWilie Nelson will help SeQuential Biofuels celebrate its second anniversary of biodiesel production at an event tomorrow morning (July 6th) at 10:30 at the SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem, Oregon.

This company press release points out that SeQuential is Oregon’s first and only commercial biodiesel production facility and only the second in the entire Pacific Northwest:

“Oregon has always been progressive in its thinking, and has been out front in every way about most major issues. This is just another example of Oregon setting a good example for the rest of the country,” said Nelson.

In December of 2006, the City of Portland became the first U.S. city to adopt a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). To encourage energy independence and to help reduce the impact of climate change. By November 1, 2007 all on-road gasoline sold within city limits will contain 10% ethanol and all on-road diesel will contain 5% biodiesel. The Portland ordinance expands Oregon’s annual market for biodiesel from four million to eight million gallons per year.

Of course, Willie Nelson is no red-headed stranger to biodiesel. He has his own line of the green fuel, named BioWillie, and runs his tour buses on 100% biodiesel.

Here’s a picture of the crew from SeQuential from their web site. Happy 2nd Birthday, gang!
Team SeQuential

Biodiesel

Georgia Cellulosic Plant Gets Permit

Cindy Zimmerman

Range FuelsRange Fuels has been awarded a construction permit from the state of Georgia to build the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the United States.

According to the company, ground breaking will take place this summer in Treutlen County, Georgia for a 100-million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant that will use wood waste from Georgia’s forests as its feedstock. Phase 1 of the plant is scheduled to complete construction in 2008 with a production capacity of 20 million gallons a year.

“We are thrilled to receive this permit and anticipate the construction of many plants throughout Georgia and the Southeast using wood waste to make ethanol,” said Mitch Mandich, CEO of Range Fuels. “With Independence Day on July 4, we are excited to begin the march toward independence from our country’s reliance on fossil fuel.”

Range Fuels, which is privately held and funded by Khosla Ventures, announced plans to build the plant on February 7 of this year (see previous post and interview with Mitch Mandich.) The company was subsequently selected to negotiate for up to $76M in a grant from the Department of Energy on February 28 (see previous post.)

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Green Racing in Watkins Glen

Cindy Zimmerman

GGPThe scenic community of Watkins Glen, NY will once again play host to the Green Grand Prix on July 6 as hybrid and alternative fueled vehicle owners highlight energy independence and a cleaner environment.

The Green Grand Prix features a road rally held on a 78-mile course around the perimeter of beautiful Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.

A new driver will be participating in the road rally this year, representing the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Joanna Schroeder, EPIC Director of Communications, will be behind the wheel of a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid Flex-Fuel Vehicle. Could she be the next Danica Patrick?

Watkins IndyFollowing the Green Grand Prix will be the Watkins Glen Grand Prix IndyCar Series on Sunday, July 8, starting at 3:30 pm Eastern and running on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol.

Both events will help to increase public awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles and offer additional activities for visitors coming to the area for the race weekend.

EPIC, Ethanol, News, Racing

Illinois State to Offer Renewable Energy Degree

John Davis

illinoisstate.bmpThe flux in high-tech jobs in the renewable energy field has prompted Illinois State University to look at offering a bachelor’s degree in the field.

This article in the Matoon and Charleston, Illinois Journal Gazette Times-Courier says the degree would offer studies in biofuels, wind, and solar power:

If approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, ISU will launch the new major in the fall of 2008, joining just a handful of U.S. universities that have created renewable energy degrees since the Oregon Institute of Technology established the nation’s first program in 2005.

“It’s still cutting edge, so it’s like those folks who got into the computer field before everybody had a PC. They’ll be that far ahead of the game,” said Tehri Parker, executive director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

The article goes on to say employers have already been contacting the school… five years before the earliest class would even be earning the new degrees.

An analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists says there are potentially 355,000 jobs to be created in the electrical sector alone if Congress approves the group’s guidelines of 20% of electrical energy production coming from renewable sources by the year 2020.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Wind

NASCAR Could Switch to Alternatives

John Davis

nascar.jpgNASCAR is looking at switching to some form of alternative fuel for its racers… but what kind is still up in the air.

This article in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times says NASCAR’s chief Brian France made the announcement during his annual midseason conference call:

brianfrance.jpgFrance said because there are “eight or nine different versions of what alternative fuels mean to people, ” the ultimate solution will be determined by the marketplace, meaning the automotive and energy industries will play a major role.

France suggested that NASCAR – which used leaded fuel in the Nextel Cup series until this season – wasn’t so much attempting to recoup the public relations advantage the Indy Racing League had gained by using ethanol, but act on a newfound concern for the environment, saying “it’s important for us to be in step and lead when we can.”

France says when you consider the continuing rise in gas prices and the harm carbon-based fuels have on the environment, the switch only makes sense.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Racing

Impact of Ethanol Seminars

John Davis

gfai1.bmpThe Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) is hosting two seminars to outline the impact ethanol is having on grain elevators.

According to the GFAI web site, the seminars will happen on August 13th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham and August 14th at the Mendota Civic Center in Mendota:

University of Illinois professors Darrel Good and Bob Hauser will team up to provide the background information, analysis and possible implications of various corn production trends for a robust time of discussion.

Topics to be covered include:

• Examination of corn prices and food prices
• Impact on transportation and storage
• Long-run price projections and new price equilibrium
• Cropping patterns locally and internationally
• Implications of disruption in production
• Analysis of international trade

Registration begins at 1 p.m. on both days, and the seminar will last through the afternoon until about 5 p.m.

Check the GFAI web site for more information.

Ethanol, News

The Hydrogen-powered Ford

John Davis

itmpower.jpgUnited Kingdom-based ITM Power Ltd. has converted a Ford Focus that can run on gasoline or pure hydrogen.

This story from Britain’s Channel 4 News says the car’s engine was modified to run on both fuels since hydrogen is not that readily available yet:

However, ITM is developing, in parallel, a home refuelling system for owners to refuel their car: a low-cost electrolyser, which can convert water using electricity (preferably from renewable sources such as wind, wave or solar power) to generate hydrogen. Both car and electrolyser can be used anywhere with water and electricity supplies, potentially doing away with the need for a fuel supply infrastructure.

So far, the prototype can travel only 25 miles on a tank of hydrogen. But officials are planning to build these water-to-hydrogen converters known as electrolysers starting in the first half of next year, and the converted car will be demonstrated later this year.

Jim HeathcoteITM Power’s CEO Jim Heathcote said: ‘Both these developments represent a seismic advance in our efforts to cut ourselves free from the dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. The bi-fuel car and refuelling system clearly demonstrate a simple, convenient and low-cost transportation solution that can significantly reduce greenhouse gases and help mitigate climate change. We believe combining electrolysers with an internal combustion-engined vehicle brings affordable hydrogen transportation forward by many years.’

Hydrogen

Oregon Gets Ethanol, Biodiesel Mandates

John Davis

kulongoski.jpgOregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed into law two mandates for biofuel blending in his state.

This story in the Oregonian says the package also includes tax incentives for producers and consumers:

Gasoline sold in Oregon must be 10 percent ethanol after the state’s production of ethanol reaches 40 million gallons a year. Diesel fuel sold in Oregon must be blended with two percent biodiesel when the Pacific Northwest’s production of biodiesel reaches 5 million gallons per year; the blending requirement then increases to 5 percent when annual biodiesel production reaches 15 million gallons a year.

At 50 cents per gallon of biofuel purchased, Oregonians can receive up to $200 a year in tax credits for using a gasoline blend that is at least 85 percent ethanol or biodiesel blended with a 99 percent concentration. Tax incentives also will go to producers or collectors of biofuels feedstock, including forest or agriculture-based biomass, oil seed crops, grain crops other than corn, and grass or wheat straw.

Oregon joins a growing number of states that require a blend of biofuel be sold.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News