ICM has completed a 1,000 hour run of its Generation 1.5 Integrated Fiber to Cellulosic Ethanol Technology at its pilot plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. The technology allows existing grain ethanol plants to produce cellulosic ethanol and the company says the successful test proves it can be done with substantial operating and capital expense cost savings over the traditional approach of cellulosic …
Ethanol Industry: Update GHG Analysis
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update their lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analyses of corn and sugarcane ethanol for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The association made the request in a letter sent to the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen wrote, “There have been literally dozens of …
AAA Leaves E15 Facts Stranded on the Roadside
This morning, the AAA released a statement that the EPA should re-evaulate its approval of E15. The call to action was based on a recent survey conducted by AAA. The results found, “a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage.” The press release went on to state, “An overwhelming 95 percent of consumers …
DuPont Breaks Ground On Cellulosic Biorefinery
DuPont has officially broken ground on its $200 million cellulosic biorefinery. When complete in mid-2014, it is expected to be one of the first and largest commercial-scale cellulosic biorefineries in the world. Once fully operational, the facility will produce 30 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year from corn stover residues. The company is also adapting its technology for use …
The Business Case for E15
While the roll-out of E15 has been a bit slow out of the gate, the ethanol blend is now being legally sold in four states: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. “While progress has been slow, it is progress,” said Robert White, director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) during an interview with Cindy Zimmerman on site …
Plug Power Awarded $2.5 DOE Grant
Plug Power has been selected for a $2.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The monies will be used to modify electric tow tractor ground equipment to function with GenDrive hydrogen fuel cells in airport applications. As part of a three-year program, 15 tow tractors will be deployed at FedEx Express airport hub locations in Memphis, Tennessee …
Report: Wind Energy Reduces GHG Emissions
Environment America has released the new report, “Wind Power for a Cleaner America: Reducing Global Warming Pollution, Cutting Air Pollution and Saving Water,” detailing how current power generation from wind energy prevents as much global warming pollution as taking 13 million cars off the road each year. With the Production Tax Credit (PTC) quickly reaching its expiration date, Environment America is …
Teaching Families About Solar Energy
Pacific Power Renewables has completed a 177.7 KW solar PV project that will provide all the energy needs for the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California, just north of Sacramento. As part of the project, the museum is using the solar system to help educate children and adults about solar energy. The roof-mounted system consists of 756 Motech 235 …
Smith Electric Opens Facility in Chicago
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Smith Electric Vehicles have announced that Smith will open an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Chicago, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. The company’s decision to locate a facility in the windy city was influenced by the Mayor’s voucher system created to accelerate the conversion from diesel to zero-emission, all-electric commercial fleet vehicles. In addition, …
EU Parliament Budgets €6 Billion for Clean Energy
The European Parliament’s Energy and Research Committee (ITRE) voted to allocate 6 billion Euros to clean energy research. This is nearly two-thirds of the entire energy research budget, of 80 billion Euros, to cover renewables, energy efficiency, smart grids, and storage. “MEPs have understood how crucial wind energy and other renewables are to the EU’s economic growth, technology leadership, fighting …