Northern Power Systems (NPS) has announced easier installation of their wind turbines through a series of upgrades. Core components such as the transformer are now built into the NPS60 and the NPS100. Other improvements include a new GSM network data connection package to allow seamless connectivity to wind turbines in the most remote areas. The new standard configuration is grid-ready …
Rep Kristi Noem Wins “Fueling Growth” Ethanol Award
Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) has received a the “Fueling Growth” award for her leadership in supporting domestic energy production and pursuing energy independence through the production and use of ethanol. The award was given by Growth Energy and this is the third year she has been honored with the award. Rep. Noem was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives …
USDA’s Doug O’Brien Visits Novozymes’ Facility
During the Advanced Biofuels Conference that took place last week in Omaha, Nebraska, Novozymes hosted USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Doug O’Brien. Following his keynote address, O’Brien headed to Blair, Nebraska, the home of Novozyme’s enzyme manufacturing facility. Also on the tour of the Novozymes facility were several members of Novozymes plant management, Jim Realph, Mayor of Blair, Neb., …
Emotions Mixed on EU Biofuels Vote
There are very mixed emotions with the European Union’s (EU) vote on the biofuels and indirect land use change (ILUC) that took place earlier this week. The EU voted for 6 percent cap. In October of 2012, MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) were voting to cap the amount of land-based and food-based biofuels used in transport fuel. In October, …
New Ethanol Survey Misleads Consumers
A new online survey conducted by Harris Interactive finds that U.S. consumers are ill-prepared for the introduction of higher ethanol fuel blends such as E15. Commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) the survey is misleading because E15 and higher blends of ethanol are not approved for any small engines, including boats and the ethanol industry has been very …
California Stays Strong on Solar
California is staying strong on solar with the passage of Assembly Bill 327, authored by Assembly Member Henry Perea (D-Fresno). The legislation helps ensure that the rooftop solar industry can continue to grow and create jobs across California. In addition, AB 327 addresses several important residential electricity rate design issues. According to The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC), AB 327 …
BioEnergy Bytes
Platts, a leading global agriculture, energy, metals and petrochemicals information provider, has launched Platts Market Data – Sugar, a comprehensive, daily data package containing global price assessments and freight rates for raw and white sugar from Brazil, Thailand, Europe and other locations. MAAS Companies is holding an auction for a 5 million gallon per year (MGY) biodiesel plant located in …
Welcome Back E15
E15 is back. The summer volatility restrictions for E15 end on September 15, 2013 and the 15 percent ethanol blend will again be available to consumers with vehicles 2001 and newer. Due to EPA’s disparate regulatory treatment of volatility for E15 and E10, retailers were forced to change their pump labels on June 1, 2013 and offer E15 to flex-fuel …
Survey Says Iowa Bullish on Biodiesel
According to new public opinion research commissioned by the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB), consumers have a strong awareness of – and favorability towards – biodiesel. The research, conducted in early September, shows 87 percent of Iowans surveyed are familiar with biodiesel. Of those familiar, 74 percent have a positive impression of biodiesel, with just 2 percent saying they have a negative …
BioEnergy Bytes
Law firm White & Case has announced the availability of the 2013 Global Renewable Energy Guide, a comprehensive publication that provides an overview of legislation and incentives available to renewable energy companies worldwide. It enables investors, lenders and government agencies to easily understand and compare renewable energy laws and incentives across 32 jurisdictions. The guide is edited and published by …