Iowa Sets New Record for First Quarter E85 Sales

Joanna Schroeder

Iowa flex-fuel drivers (FFVs) have set a new E85 record with the purchase of 2,707,231 gallons of E85 in the first quarter of 2014, according to data released by the Iowa Department of Revenue. The more than 2.7 million gallons of E85 sold is a new first quarter record, and nearly a 48 percent increase over the first quarter of 2013.

Flex Fuel Pump at Hy-Vee Mills Civic Parkway in Des Moines IA 6-16-14“As the EPA debates slashing 2014 requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the cost-savings of ethanol-blended fuels continues to grow and Iowans are purchasing E85 at a record rate,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “When you follow-up a record year for E85 sales in 2013 with record E85 sales in the first quarter of 2014, it’s further proof that when given the choice, consumers will choose cleaner-burning, lower-cost ethanol blends.”

Yesterday, IRFA also reported the largest wholesale price spread between E85 and regular gasoline since it began tracking prices through its Weekly Iowa E85 Wholesale Price Listing Service. On Monday, June 23, the average price of regular 87-octane gasoline without ethanol was $3.23 per gallon at the Des Moines Terminal, according to OPIS. Meanwhile, Absolute Energy, an ethanol plant in St. Ansgar, Iowa, was selling E85 for $1.64 per gallon.

“At the wholesale level, E85 is being sold for nearly half the price of regular gasoline – that’s right, it’s nearly 50 percent cheaper,” added Shaw. “With Fourth of July travel just around the corner, it will literally pay for flex-fuel vehicle owners to find E85 along their route.”

biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

IESI Selects Solectria SMARTGRID Inverters

Joanna Schroeder

1.7MW Array at Grafton Water DistrictInnovative Engineering Solutions has selected Solectria Renewables‘ SMARTGRID Inverters for seven projects in Massachusetts totaling 22 MW. The projects include the Concord Landfill, the Grafton Water District and five commercial sites.

Massachusetts has set ambitious solar energy targets since 2001 and met each of the goals early. In April 2007, Governor Deval Patrick announced a goal of 250 MW of installed solar power by 2017. This goal was achieved in Q1 of 2013, when Governor Patrick set a new goal to reach 1.6GW by 2020.

“Solectria Renewables is a nationally recognized producer of quality inverters,” said Richard McCarthy, director of energy services at IESI. “Not only are its products highly reliable, but the company also continues to evolve its inverters’ efficiency and capacity to meet their customers’ needs.”

The clean energy produced over the systems’ cumulative expected lifespan is equivalent to removing 4,065 cars from the roads, 2.2 million gallons of gas, and 20.7 million pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere.

“We are honored to be a part of IESI’s solar portfolio,” said Phil Vyhanek, president of Solectria Renewables. “The SMARTGRID inverters selected for these solar projects will help IESI and its customers achieve maximum power production and system reliability.”

Renewable Energy, Solar

Missouri Corn: Market Instability Reinforces Need for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

With the continued turmoil in Iraq causing instability in worldwide oil markets, Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is calling for increased ethanol access in the marketplace. Ethanol is trading more than a dollar lower than conventional gasoline according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

“The cost savings from blending competitively priced ethanol are being kept from consumers,” said MCGA CEO Gary Marshall. “To pay upwards of $3.50 or $4 per gallon when the top five 1205379-Moil companies profited a combined 93 billion dollars is unacceptable. Drivers are sick and tired of shelling out an arm and a leg for gas – and they have every right to be.”

Missouri drivers are currently using 10 percent ethanol (E10) in most gasoline sold across the state. Recently E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) was approved for use in the state in vehicles 2001 and newer. However, noted MCGA, the fuel blendstock provided by oil refineries during summer months limits blending higher than 10 percent ethanol, keeping customers from the price benefit of higher ethanol blends.

“The refusal by oil companies and refineries to provide a quality, cost-effective fuel when consumers are facing increasing costs at the pump is an outrage,” said Marshall. “Drivers could see immediate savings from E15, yet fuel marketers’ hands are tied until the summer regulation is lifted and winter blendstock is reintroduced this fall.”

While prices at the pump have reached their highest levels since 2008, they would be even higher without the inclusion of ethanol to the country’s fuel supply said MCGA. Last year alone, U.S. ethanol production displaced an amount of gasoline refined from 462 million barrels of imported crude oil, which is equivalent to that imported annually from Venezuela and Iraq combined.

“The latest energy issues in Iraq are a stark reminder why ethanol is important. As a country, we need to be looking at a long-term energy plan and not be held hostage any time militants take over a refinery in a foreign land,” concluded Marshall.

biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Energy

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFThe American economy will face significant and widespread disruptions from climate change unless U.S. businesses and policymakers take immediate action to reduce climate risk, according to a new report. “Risky Business: The Economic Risks of Climate Change in the United States,” analyzes economic and climate impact data at the county, state, and regional level, and finds that communities, industries, and properties across the U.S. face profound risks from climate change. The report, a product of the Risky Business Project, emphasizes that climate impacts differ by scale and type across the country. Focusing on higher temps and declining agricultural productivity, the report finds that Iowa faces significant climate-related risks in the coming decades. The report identifies these specific impacts as likely to hit the Hawkeye state in the next five to 25 years: average summer temps could rise an additional 1.7 to 4º F; and the state could experience between 7 and 17 days over 95º F per year (currently, IA averages just 3 days over 95º F per year). Looking at the end of the century, likely impacts include: more intense and long-lasting heat could drive up commercial and residential energy demand 5.6 to 16.2%; energy expenditures could correspondingly rise by 8.4 to 29%; and agricultural yields could decline between 3% and 66%.
  • CBD Energy Limited has announced that its forthcoming U.S. subsidiary Green Earth Developers LLC (GED) has grown its pipeline of commercial solar projects, valued at $2,500,000 in April to approximately $15,000,000 to date.
  • The 8th World Congress of Industrial Biotechnology (ibio-2015), which will be held on April 25-28, 2015, in Nanjing, China has a call for presentations. ibio-2015 is a custom designed Industrial Biotechnology conference focused on a wide range of essential themes from fundamental science to industrial commercialization. ibio-2015 is designed to let scientists and business executives from the different fields of biotechnology to present their latest work. It covers the recent updates on the new products and technologies for green economy, so we cordially invite you to join us and witness these advances together.
  • BlueNRGY, LLC, a global energy monitoring solutions provider, has completed the acquisition of Umbra Solar Services, a national Photovoltaic (PV) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) company that provides data monitoring, preventative and corrective maintenance, and site management services for PV systems.
Bioenergy Bytes

U.S. Mayors Expand Climate Protection Agreement

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Mayors have signed a revised climate protection agreement that for the first time focuses on local actions to adapt cities to changing climate conditions. The agreement is also aims to build grassroots support for local conversation efforts. The action took place during the 82nd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) meeting where one area of focus was climate change and the role energy efficiency and renewable energy could play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon.

14307537950_ca123598fd_zThe Agreement also urges federal and state governments to enact bipartisan legislation, policies and programs to assist mayors in their efforts to lead the nation toward energy independence. Following the signing ceremony, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Environmental Protection Administrator Gina McCarthy congratulated the Conference on their work and engaged in an interactive discussion with mayors from the audience.

USCM President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said mayors have been leaders on climate protection, whether it’s cutting carbon emissions or preparing their communities for the effects of climate change. “In the 3.0 era, mayors are innovating, working with the best and the brightest, to lead on climate. Mayors are getting smart about sustainability. We’re moving from fossil fuels to alternative fuels, from waste to reuse. Mayors are using technology and innovation to do what we couldn’t do ten years ago. We’re boosting our economies and protecting our climate at the same time.”

The climate initiative was first launched 10 years ago in February of 2005 and at the time the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement was a landmark pledge by mayors from all across the country to take local action to reduce carbon emissions from city operation and by the community at large, consistent with the goals of the Kyoto Protocol. More than 1060 mayors signed the Agreement, mostly representing larger cities. Since then, USCM has been recognizing mayors for their successful efforts through its annual Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards.

USCM Energy independence and Climate Protection Task Force Co-Chair and Bridgeport, CT Mayor Bill Finch noted, “This is not a cause for mayors. This is a pragmatic problem that requires pragmatic solutions. Mayors across the country are investing in the future by tackling climate change head on. And, those who have signed onto the U.S. Conference of Mayors agreement have made more progress on beating back climate change in their cities than those who have not. Read More

Biodiesel, biofuels, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Education, energy efficiency, Environment

DC Schools Partner on Solar Power Project

John Davis

Universities in the Washington, D.C. have partnered to bring solar power into the region. The George Washington University, American University (AU) and the George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) created a renewable energy project that will bring the power of the sun from North Carolina.

DukeEnergyRenew1Duke Energy Renewables will supply 52 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) power, which is solar energy that is converted to electricity. This is the equivalent of the amount of electricity used in 8,200 homes every year.

“Thanks to this innovative partnership, the George Washington University will now derive more than half of all its electricity from solar energy,” said GW President Steven Knapp. “This will greatly accelerate our progress toward the carbon neutrality target we had earlier set for 2025.”

The partnership, dubbed the Capital Partners Solar Project, marks the largest non-utility solar PV power purchase in the U.S. and the largest PV project east of the Mississippi River.

The project, facilitated by CustomerFirst Renewables (CFR), will help GW and AU meet their climate action plan commitments without incurring additional costs. The partners will break ground on the first site this summer.

The project hopes to generate 123 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of emissions-free electricity per year by the end of next year, the equivalent of taking 12,500 cars off the road. Duke Energy officials call the 20-year agreement “a real game changer” as it shows renewables can be used for large customers and shows growth in the clean energy sector.

Solar

Meredian Harvests First Canola Crop for Biopolymer

John Davis

meredian1A Georgia company has harvested its first crop of canola to make into biopolymers. According to Meredian, Inc. the crop will be turned into the raw materials used to make a wide range of completely biodegradable plastic products from local fields.

The canola oil used in Meredian’s production is the single most important, yet costly factor in their manufacturing process. While theoretically, the company can use any plant derived oil to convert carbon into biopolymers, canola is the perfect option because it possesses the ability to be grown locally, which cuts down on unnecessary and costly transportation steps. Growing locally stimulates Georgia’s economy, while allowing Meredian to continue their mission of manufacturing biopolymers from renewable, natural resources that equal or exceed petroleum-based plastics in price and performance.

“We are thrilled about the successful harvest of our pilot canola fields,” said Paul Pereira, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Meredian, Inc. “The first harvest marks a major milestone in meeting the full scale needs of this facility.”

Currently, Meredian Inc. is repurposing a one-million square foot facility where the equipment will clean and crush canola seeds into oil by a solvent and toxin-free, cold press process. Until crushing equipment is installed, the 850,000 pounds of seeds from the harvest will be stored at Meredian. Once the equipment is installed, the majority of the seeds recently harvested will be crushed to produce oil for the current PHA production needs.

Meredian expects next year they’ll be using canola from 10,000 to 15,000 acres fields to be planted this fall. Eventually, the company wants about 100,000 acres to grow enough canola to supply its 60 million pound fermentation facility.

biomaterials

Neste Inks Algae Oil for Renewable Diesel Deal

John Davis

RAE algae1Neste Oil has signed a deal that should help keep up its feedstock supply for its renewable diesel. This company news release says the agreement with U.S. algae producer Renewable Algae Energy (RAE) will secure algae oil as an alternative feedstock for Neste Oil’s NEXBTL renewable diesel for the future.

Cooperation with RAE is intended to secure Neste Oil’s access to a cost-effective supply of industrial volumes of algae oil in the future. Implementation of the agreement will require RAE to increase its algae oil production capacity and to comply with the requirements of biofuel legislation with strict sustainability criteria in the US and the EU throughout the production chain. RAE anticipates that it will be able to produce commercial-scale volumes of algae oil from 2016 onwards.

“Algae oil is well suited for producing Neste Oil’s renewable products,” says Lars Peter Lindfors, Neste Oil’s Senior Vice President, Technology. “The agreement we have just signed is yet another step in our constant work to support the commercialization of the algae industry and to take part in research on new, sustainably produced feedstocks.”

“We are honored to partner with Neste Oil,” said Jeffrey S. Kanel, Ph.D., CEO of RAE. “Neste Oil is known worldwide as the industry leader, and they are committed to producing a sustainable energy source. This commitment aligns perfectly with RAE’s mission and values, and we look forward to assisting Neste Oil to produce renewable fuels that will benefit the world.”

The agreement is non-exclusive, as Neste Oil wants more partners able to produce algae oil at a commercial scale.

algae, Biodiesel

Renewables Make Up Nearly 90% of New Power in May

John Davis

FERCA new report shows that renewable energy sources made up nearly 90 percent of all new electrical generating capacity in the U.S. in May and more than half the new capacity this year so far. A news release from the SUN DAY Campaign, a non-profit research and educational organization that promotes sustainable energy technologies as cost-effective alternatives to nuclear power and fossil fuels, says that a new “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects shows that wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower provided 88.2 percent of new installed U.S. electrical generating capacity for the month of May, and for the first five months of 2014, renewable energy sources accounted for 54.1 percent of the 3,136 MW of new domestic electrical generating installed.

Since January 1, 2012, renewable energy sources have accounted for nearly half (47.83%) of all new installed U.S. electrical generating capacity followed by natural gas (38.34%) and coal (13.40%) with oil, waste heat, and “other” accounting for the balance.

Renewable energy sources, including hydropower, now account for 16.28% of total installed U.S. operating generating capacity: water – 8.57%, wind – 5.26%, biomass – 1.37%, solar – 0.75%, and geothermal steam – 0.33%. This is more than nuclear (9.24%) and oil (4.03%) combined. *

“Some are questioning whether it’s possible to satisfy the U.S. EPA’s new CO2 reduction goals with renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency,” noted Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign.”The latest FERC data and the explosion of new renewable energy generating capacity during the past several years unequivocally confirm that it can be done.”

You can read the full report here.

biomass, Hydro, Solar, Wind

Book Review: A Bird on Water Street

Joanna Schroeder

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up, walk outside and there were no animals, livingA Bird on Water Street things others than humans and nothing was green but all brown? Well this is the world of Jack, growing up in a Southern Appalachian copper mining town. The environment is so bad that the air eats through a pair of pantyhose in a matter of minutes. “A Bird on Water Street” is a young adult (and adult) story about the environmental turn-around of Tennessee town, “Coppertown”.

Based on a true story, author Elizabeth O. Dulemba explores the relationship between the environmental devastation due to copper mining and how the efforts of one boy, Jake, can turn a city around and make a difference.

Bird on Water Street explores several key environment and advocacy issues including:

  • Issues around copper mining and the devastating effects it has on the local environment.
  • How taking small actions to better our surroundings can make a big difference.
  • The challenges that many young people face, including bullying, death, pregnancy, and drugs and how they can navigate the issues.
  • Why having a sense of community is so important, especially for the growth and development of the community’s youngest members.

It’s hard to imagine living in a world with a “dead” environment, wide-spread disease, death and other health issues, but through the voice of Jack, you not only imagine it, you are both sad for him, his friends and his town. And you can’t help but cheer for him when he begins to discover elements of the environment that he realizes he is missing and he takes small steps to make change: growing a garden and planting a tree. Eventually, the whole town, after a strike and the closing of the mine, bands together on reclamation efforts and a new town is “reborn”.

I enjoyed the book and the authenticity of the voices of Jack and his friends and families. For parents who are looking for ways to encourage their children to become an active player in environmental efforts or young adults looking for inspiration and ideas, this is a great book to begin that journey.

book reviews, Environment