Ethanol, Biodiesel, and Milk

John Davis

XL BiorefineryAn Arizona dairy is looking at expandng its operations into biofuels. Phoenix-based XL Dairy Group is planning to build a dairy/biorefinery at a site about 100 miles west of Phoenix.

According to this story in the East Valley Tribune in Phoenix, when finished, the complex will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol, 25 million to 30 million gallons of biodiesel fuel and 21 million gallons of milk a year:

The concept is to use waste produced by the dairy cows to make energy that would be used to turn corn into ethanol and biodiesel, said Dennis Corderman, chief executive and chairman of XL Dairy Group. Byproducts of the ethanol and biodiesel production will be cycled back to produce internal energy for the biorefinery and to provide feed for the dairy cows, he said.

“The biggest difference between us and other ethanol plants is we will use waste streams from the dairy to produce our own energy,” he said. “It will provide the electrical and heat and steam energy for the entire facility.”

The plant is expected to have an energy efficiency ratio of 10-to-1. Most ethanol plants have a 1.2-to-1 ratio.

Company officials expect the whole operation to be even more efficient when the feedstock for the biofuel is switched to algae, obviously more available with the Arizona desert sun fueling its growth than Midwestern corn.

Biodiesel, Ethanol

DHL Testing Biodiesel

John Davis

DHLShipping giant DHL is looking at testing some of its United Kingdom delivery fleet running on 100% biodiesel. According to this story on the Biofuel Review web site, the testing will begin at the end of this month:

Bill Bacon, National Account Director from DHL Exel Supply Chain said: “We are committed to being an environmentally responsible business and are always looking at innovative ways to create sustainable supply chains. This is a superb example of everyone’s collaboration into exploring new technologies and alternative fuels that could potentially lead the way into long term sustainability. As the leading provider of contract logistics services we have a responsibility to set best practise solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our vehicles.”

UK biodiesel producer Argent Energy will provide the fuel made from old restaurant and pub cooking oil.

Biodiesel, International

E85 Police Tahoes in Georgia

Cindy Zimmerman

GA e85The General Motors Police Package Tahoe was featured and demonstrated to the crowd at the grand opening of a new E85 station in Georgia on May 1. The Fillers/Chevron facility is the seventh E85 site to open in the state, according to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.
GA e85 2

Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition Executive Director Charise Stephens said, “Our goal is to have General Motors E85 Police Tahoe in each of our counties and the fuel to sustain the program. Currently Middle Georgia has more biofuel stations than any other part of the state and we look forward to having the first E85 Police fleets in the state.”

E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

Boating with Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

As summer quickly approaches, many in the boating community are in the process of transitioning their fuel use to an ethanol-enriched blend. Through the introduction of an informational campaign, boaters can learn how to best optimize performance of their watercraft with E10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.

Manufacturers of all major brands of marine motors approve the use of up to a 10 percent ethanol blend in their equipment without voiding the warranty. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) no longer requires a sticker warning about alcohol fuels to be placed on new boats as there are now far fewer issues with the use of E10.Boat US

“We found that once the transition to E10 is complete and the first few tanks of ethanol-enriched fuel are run through the system, the issues with E10 are manageable,” said Bob Adriance, Technical Advisor with BoatU.S. “We’ve also seen that owners who use their boats frequently and cycle through fuel have less problems than those whose boats are only occasionally used.”

Some suggestions for boat owners include:

Inspect fuel filters frequently since ethanol acts as a solvent and it will loosen particles that commonly settle in fuel tanks over time.

Top off tanks for winter storage to 95 percent full to leave room for expansion.

Check fiberglass fuel tanks since older boats with fiberglass fuel tanks can experience significant difficulties with E10.

More information about using E10 in marine vehicles can be found at boatus.com and at drivingethanol.org.

EPIC, Ethanol, News

Students Take Mileage Challenge

Cindy Zimmerman

As gas prices in Minnesota top $3 a gallon, hundreds of Minnesota middle and high school students are preparing for the Minnesota Supermilage Challenge at the Brainerd International Raceway on May 13-15, an annual contest to see which team of students can build the most fuel efficient vehicles — and prove it on the track. In addition to gasoline-powered vehicles, some teams are building racers that use the cleaner-burning alternative fuel E85.

American Lung Association of the Upper MidwestThe students’ use of a less polluting fuel in the contest caught the attention of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, a strong supporter of E85, biodiesel and other cleaner fuels and transportation technology.

“Minnesota is not only the clear leader in E85 sales and E85 outlets, our kids also know how to get the most out of this cleaner-burning, largely homegrown fuel,” said Bob Moffitt, communications director of the Clean Fuel and Vehicle Technologies program of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. “For example, last year’s E85 division defending champion (a joint Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview and Moundsview High School team) got an amazing 621 miles per gallon using E85.”

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, News

US BioEnergy Nebraska Plant Starts Production

Cindy Zimmerman

US BioenergyUS BioEnergy has announced that its Ord, Nebraska ethanol plant has begun production. The company broke ground on the 50 million gallon per year ethanol plant in December 2005 and completed construction ahead of the normal 20-month schedule.

US Bio Ord, located in central Nebraska and adjacent to the Nebraska Central Railroad, is expected to produce approximately 50 million gallons of ethanol and 275,000 tons of modified wet distillers grains per year from the 15 to 18 million bushels of corn provided by local farmers. The plant has created approximately 40 new jobs in the city of Ord.

Gordon Ommen, CEO of US BioEnergy, stated, “The opening of our fourth ethanol plant demonstrates the quality and effectiveness of the US BioEnergy team, which continues to execute our strategy ahead of schedule. We remain focused on building and acquiring ethanol plants in the Midwest. By doing so, we believe we will deliver on our goals of revitalizing Midwestern communities, promoting energy independence, and delivering value to our shareholders.”

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Thune to Hold Wind Summit

John Davis

Sen. John ThuneU.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) will hold a wind energy roundtable this coming Monday, May 14th at 1:00 PM (CDT) at the Sheraton Hotel in Sioux Falls.

From his press release:

“South Dakota could and should be a national leader in producing electricity harnessed through our abundant wind supply, but until now, our state has lacked the necessary infrastructure to fully develop this industry. I am looking forward to hearing the discussion about the future of wind energy production and related transmission issues,” said Thune.

As you might remember from my May 3rd post, Thune recently called for a federal tax credit to promote the growth of wind power across the nation.

More details of the conference:

WHEN: 1:00 PM CT, Monday, May 14, 2007
EVENT: Wind Energy Roundtable
WHERE: Fontenelle Room, Sheraton Hotel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
PANELISTS: Brad Barton, Director of Commercialization, U.S. Department of Energy;
Brian Parsons, Wind Applications Project Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory;
Laura McCarten, Co-Executive Director CapX Transmission Initiative, Xcel Energy;
Beth Soholt, Director, Wind on the Wires;
Lloyd Linke, Watertown Operations Manager,
Western Area Power Administration (Western)

Government, Wind

UDOT Growing Own Biodiesel

John Davis

UDOTDrivers along a stretch of Interstate 15 in Utah might be used to seeing biodiesel-powered vehicles, but the same stretch of road is becoming home to the raw materials used to make biodiesel.

According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, the Utah Department of Transportation has partnered with Utah State University to plant safflower, camelina, canola and perennial flax in a safety strip along the interstate. The seeds are then crushed to make biodiesel:

The unusual idea came from Dallas Hanks, a 44-year-old biologist who is working on his doctoral degree at USU. With an initial $50,000 boost from UDOT, Hanks aims to prove the 2,500 miles of state-owned highway right-of-way could yield an annual average of 500,000 gallons of 100 percent biodiesel.

By addressing efficiency, energy development and climate-change concerns, the project “has it all,” said Laura Nelson, (Utah Governor Jon) Huntsman’s energy policy adviser. “A lot of agencies are pursuing the conservation initiative,” she said. “This is probably the most innovative [approach].”

Officials expect the biodiesel will power the UDOT trucks and heavy equipment.

Biodiesel, Government

Big Biodiesel Producer Adds Red Dye to Mix

John Davis

Gulf HydrocarbonHouston-based Gulf Hydrocarbon, Inc, the top provider of biodiesel for the petroleum industry, is adding red dye to some of its biodiesel at its terminal in Houston. So why the red dye?

The dye red biodiesel is used off-road by construction companies, ranchers, farmers, and standby generators, marine and drilling industries because of its non-taxable incentive provided by the US government.

Scott Hughes, Director of Governmental Affairs for the National Biodiesel Board says, “Dye red presents a wonderful non-taxable option for farmers, ranchers, off-road equipment haulers to better manage their logistics costs. The tax incentives will continue to help develop the biodiesel industry and preserve our natural resources. Gulf Hydrocarbon is truly a pioneer in the industry by providing this product at the pump in their terminals.”

The product is being offered in Louisiana and Texas.

Biodiesel

Wind Powering Illinois Renewable Energy Standard

John Davis

Lawmakers in the Illinois State House have passed what’s considered a pretty ambitious renewable energy standard calling for the state to buy up to 25% of its renewable energy sources by 2025. According to a press release posted on the Environmental Law and Policy Center web site, wind power is seen as the main source for clean power:

Howard Learner“Developing wind power, a ‘no-CO2’ energy source, can help to solve our global warming problems,” said Howard A. Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Renewable energy is a win-win-win—it’s good for farmers, good for rural economic development and good for the environment.

Experts say Illinois has enough wind power capacity to be a leader in the U.S. Plus, since the state is a hub for power transmission lines, so there is a cheap, efficient to get the power onto the grid.

About 5,500 megawatts of wind power are under development in Illinois. That would be enough to power 1.7 million homes.

Government, Legislation, Wind