When you want to learn about ethanol, you go to an industry veteran and I did just that when I spoke with Patriot Renewable Fuels Plant Manager Dave Gerhart who began his career in the early 80s at is what is now known as Nebraska-based Chief Ethanol Fuels. At the time, they were the largest dry mill ethanol plant in …
Abundant Corn Harvest Increases Ethanol Production
According to a recent Today in Energy published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), expectations of a record corn harvest in 2013 have helped lower corn prices and improve ethanol production margins. This has also increased ethanol production and supply. It was just last year that the 2012 corn harvest faced some of the most severe and far-reaching drought …
BioEnergy Bytes
Iowa Senator Mark Jacobs and Sam Clovis who are running for the Congressional seat that is open with Senator Tom Harkin retiring, are both confirmed for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s renewable fuels forum. This free event is open to the public and taking place on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm CST at the Western Iowa …
OSU Spinoff NuScale Goes Nuclear
Oregon State University (OSU) spinoff NuScale Power has been awarded up to $226 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The company is developing a new form of nuclear power and is a spinoff company based on the pioneering research of OSU professor Jose Reyes. Today Reyes has become one of the international leaders in the creation …
A Q&A with JatroDiesel
JatroDiesel’s technology has been selected by Patriot Renewable Fuels for its 4-5 million biodiesel facility under construction next to its ethanol plant in Annawan, Illinois. The biodiesel plant, when it goes into operation in September 2014 will use the corn oil produced during the ethanol process for its primary feedstock. To learn more about the multi-feedstock biodiesel technology, I spoke …
Annawan Mayor Kennard B Franks Applauds Patriot
Annawan Mayor Kennard B Franks applauds Patriot Renewable Fuels for how much their ethanol plant (and soon to be biodiesel facility) has done for the local community. “Patriot has helped us immensely,” said Mayor Franks. He noted that they knew they were in a great spot on Interstate 80 along with the railroad routes and two natural gas pipelines running …
DOE Announces $150M in Clean Energy Tax Credits
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $150 million in clean energy tax credits to build U.S. capabilities in clean energy manufacturing. The credits will go towards investments in domestic manufacturing equipment by 12 businesses. Through the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit program (48C Program), DOE says these awards will help create thousands of jobs across the country and …
Hydro-PV Hybrid Project in China Connects to Grid
What is believed to be the world’s largest hydro and PV hybrid project has been connected to the grid and is now supplying power from the Longyangxia Dam in Qinghai Province, China. Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, who supplied 15 MW YGE series photovoltaic (PV) modules for the project congratulated the project team for its successful efforts. With a total …
U.S. Solar Energy Industry Breaks Records
GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have released the “U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2013,” the definitive analysis of solar power markets in the U.S., with strategic state-specific data for 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. According to the report, the U.S. installed 930 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics (PV) in Q3 2013 is up …
BioEnergy Bytes
Ryan Lamke has joined Growth Energy as the new Communications Manager and will be responsible for strategic planning, grassroots communications, as well as managing and coordinating social and traditional media efforts to expand Growth Energy’s public relations, legislative affairs and membership agendas. Courtney Henderson has joined as the new Communications Assistant and will be responsible for monitoring media coverage of …