A recasting of oil industry data from a recent NERA Economic Consulting study prepared for the American Petroleum Institute (API) found the oil industry would be economically harmed by more than $12.3 trillion in potential profits in 2015 if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations below statutory levels. The analysis, “Economic Impacts Resulting from …
Alstom Supports Access to Renewable Energy
In support of offering more renewable energy to Zambians, Alstom is financing an energy kiosk project in Zambia to enable people network access through cheaper renewable electricity. Equipped with solar panels, the kiosk will be capable of autonomously producing its own energy and will enable electricity to be supplied to around 500 people from the North Kariba region. The funds …
BioEnergy Bytes
On Wednesday morning, September 23 from 9 am-noon, the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, being held in the Tuscany Ballroom of the Peppermill Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, will be free and open to the public. The GEA Expo floor features projects, equipment, services and state of the art technology in the geothermal community. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. …
Algenol’s Algae-based Ethanol to Be Sold Via Protec
Protec Fuel Management has taken another innovative route to bring ethanol to consumers. The company has signed an agreement to market and distribute Algenol Biotech’s algae-based ethanol being produced in Fort Myers, Florida. In addition, Protec will purchase 18 million gallons per year from Algenol’s commercial plant expected to be online in 2016 and distribute the fuel as E15 and E85 …
Glycerol Recycled into Biodiesel Catalyst
Researchers in the United Kingdom have found a way to recycle a biodiesel by-product back into a catalyst to make the green fuel. This article from Cardiff University says its scientists turned glycerol into methanol. To achieve this, the researchers reacted glycerol with water, to provide the element hydrogen, and a magnesium oxide (MgO) catalyst. The reaction involved a simple …
Two Wood-Burning Plants Being Built in Georgia
An Alabama company is building two wood-burning electricity plants in Georgia. This article from the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald says state environmental officials have approved one of the two applications for the GreenFuels Holding Company’s plants expected to produce a total of nearly 140 megawatts of electricity. The company filed its application for a 58 megawatt plant near Colbert about two …
Illinois Corn Working to Support #Ethanol, E15
I stopped by the Illinois Corn booth during the Farm Progress Show and had the opportunity to speak with Kenneth Hartman, an Illinois corn, soybean and wheat grower. He gave me an update on the their efforts to increase mid-level ethanol blends across the state. One such initiative is working with key players in Chicago to get 150 E15 stations …
Orrie Swayze Says E30 is a Child’s Best Friend
According to the Clean Air Act, Memorandum 1A it is legal for all cars to use E30, a blend of 30 percent ethanol, 70 percent gasoline, according to Orrie Swayze, a long-time ethanol advocate. He is working along side the South Dakota Farmers Union to encourage drivers to use E30 – especially for the health benefits higher blends of ethanol …
EV Fast Chargers Come to Québec
New fast chargers for electric vehicles are now available in Québec with a 400-V fast-charge station and four 240-V charging stations as a result of a new partnership between the Electric Circuit and Magog’s Carrefour Santé Globale (CSG). This is the first public fast-charge station in the Estrie region. This initiative was made possible by Nissan Canada. “We salute the initiative of …
BioEnergy Bytes
According to GTM Research’s latest report, “PV Balance of Systems 2015: Technology Trends and Markets in the U.S. and Abroad,” average global PV system installed costs will fall from $2.16 per watt in 2014 to $1.24 per watt by 2020, a 40 percent decline. Costs will continue to vary by region and market segment, but a combination of balance-of-system innovations …