According to SunPower Systems, who has solar systems operating at 25 California Water Agencies, their power systems have exceeded expectations for overall performance. The company estimates that the systems have saved the state’s public agencies a cumulative total of approximately $5.3 million over the past 12 months. SunPower has designed and built nearly 25 megawatts of solar power systems at …
FAPRI: RIN Prices Could Be on the Rise
There could be big money in store for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs)… or not. A new report from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI-MU) says that the ethanol blend wall could have the biggest effect on how RIN prices rise or fall: Expanding ethanol use in the future could require more E15 and …
Ethanol Groups Respond to EU Investigation
The European Commission today issued a “general disclosure document” setting forth its proposed ruling in the anti-dumping investigation involving U.S. ethanol exports to Europe. Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) issued a joint statement on the issue: “We continue to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation. We are troubled by news that the Commission is recommending a 9.6 percent …
EIA Releases 2013 Annual Energy Outlook Forecast
The Energy Information Agency (EIA) has released its 2013 Annual Energy Outlook forecast summary. While the report looks at all forms of energy with estimates going as far as 2040, there were two areas pertinent to biofuels. The summary forecast stated that renewable fuel use will grow at a much faster rate than fossil fuel use, and the share of …
Chamber CEOs: Prioritize Clean Energy
How many Americans realize that we’re still on a fiscal cliff and that the danger has not been averted? Hopefully the majority of us realize this as Congress debates away during this year’s lame duck session. Many issues are under the microscope, but one that many believe is a key priority in economic growth and policy discussions, including the local …
Austin Dillion Wins Rookie of Year Award
American Ethanol sponsored driver Austin Dillion has won the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. The ethanol industry has congratulated him and now fans have an opportunity to congratulate Dillion during the American Ethanol live Twitter chat that he will host Monday, December 10, 2012 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am CST. Dillon was officially named …
Caring for Animals is Main Winter Duty
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”With harvest over what are your winter plans?” Our poll results: Thirty-one percent said feed and care for animals; twenty-five percent said paperwork!; twenty-five percent also said catch up on sleep; nineteen percent said repair existing equipment; no one responded research/buy new equipment. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What …
Pacific Successfully Produces Sorghum Ethanol
Yesterday the EPA announced that grain sorghum is now an official pathway for a renewable fuel under the RFS. Currently, Pacific Ethanol has successfully produced ethanol from sorghum feedstock that was bred by Chromatin. According to Chromatin, this achievement paves the way for future opportunities to use locally grown sorghum as a versatile and resilient crop that is a more …
Offshore Wind Within Reach Off Eastern US Shores
The Obama administration has announced competitive lease sales for wind energy development off the eastern coasts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia. This is the first time that a portion of the outer continental shelf will be leased for renewable energy development. There are several areas proposed for leasing: the Virginia coast could support more than 2,000 megawatts of wind generation; Massachusetts and …
World Energy Trilemma Report Released at Doha
According to the World Energy Council (WEC), the world is far away from achieving environmentally sustainable energy systems. According to the organization’s global ranking of country energy sustainability performance, over 90 countries assessed are still far from achieving fully sustainable energy systems. The 2012 Energy Sustainability Index, published within the WEC’s 2012 World Energy Trilemma report, “Time to get real …