ACE Conference 2026

FuelCell Plant in the Works in Cheyenne, WY

Joanna Schroeder

A stationary fuel cell power plant to support Microsoft’s data center research project in Cheyenne, Wyoming is in the works. The power plant will use renewable biogas generated by a wastewater treatment facility as the fuel source to generate clean, carbon-neutral electricity. The project will be used by Microsoft to evaluate the effectiveness of using FuelCell Energy power plants to convert biogas to power.

“With the demand for renewable energy resources outstripping available power supplies today, Microsoft is researching new methods to help our operations become more efficient and environmentally sustainable,” said Gregg McKnight, general manager, Data Center Advanced Development at Microsoft. “We’re excited by the potential for using stationary fuel cells to capture and recycle natural byproducts like biogas. This project will study methods to provide an economical and reliable power supply for data centers that is also scalable and economical for use by other industries.”

By Spring 2013, the sub-megawatt Direct FuelCell power plant will be installed at the Dry Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The fuel cell plant will provide 200 kilowatts of power for Microsoft’s Data Plant which will be housed in a modular IT pre-assembled component (ITPAC) that will house servers to recreate a data center environment. Excess power not used by the data center will be provided to the water reclamation facility to offset their electric costs. In the event of a grid outage, the Data Plant project and fuel cell plant will be configured to operate independently to provide continuous power.Read More

biogas, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

Grassley: Wind Tax Credit Could Be Part of Deal

John Davis

The extension of the wind energy tax credit could come this year, but it might be part of a bigger deal of tax reform. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who holds positions on the Senate’s Budget, Finance and Ag Committees, says it will be a fight.

“I think now the argument ought to be, ‘Why would you sort wind out of all the other energy tax credits that are in the bill that came out of the Senate Finance Committee?’ Hopefully, they won’t find a reason to separate it and make an exception for wind,” he said during a news conference, pointing out there are 60 extenders in the tax bill.

Grassley said it could be part of a deal to get a whole package through. “There could be a decision made between [House Speaker John] Boehner and the President that we ought to put this all off until next year. If that happens, then everything that sunsets January first will be extended into next year, I’d say, for at least six months. Then, use that for… more tax reform of the tax code, generally.”

The senator added that a five-year extension is probably not doable, but this deal, backed by a bipartisan coalition of governors, is just for one year.

Listen to Sen. Grassley’s comments about the wind energy tax credit: Sen. Chuck Grassley

Audio, Government, Legislation, Wind

Census of Ag to Ask About Renewable Energy, Biomass

John Davis

The USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture forms soon will be going out to farmers and ranchers across the country, and this year, the survey will be asking asking about renewable energy and biomass.

“We’re asking for more details on whether farmers are using solar, wind… what type of energy, and some of the crops they’re growing to produce biomass,” says Renee Picanso, Director of the USDA’s Census and Survey Division, asking that those surveyed return their census by Feb. 4, 2013. During an interview at Trade Talk at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention, she added that also new this year will be the opportunity to fill out the survey over the internet, something they believe will help response rates. “I hope so, because it leads you through the questions, and if you go on the internet, it will skip through the questions [not relevant to your operation].”

Picanso stresses that it’s very important for producers to respond because the survey helps USDA determine policy, as well as how it helps rural communities and agribusinesses. Results should be released in February 2014.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Renee here: Renee Picanso, USDA Census and Survey Division

Audio, biomass, Government, Renewable Energy, USDA

DF Cast: Biodiesel Helps Livestock Producers

John Davis

We’ve known for quite a while that biodiesel is helping the bottom lines of feedstock producers, in particular, the nation’s soybean growers. But a new study from the National Biodiesel Board says livestock producers are also sticking more green in their pockets thanks to the green fuel.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from the NBB’s senior advisor for economic issues, Alan Weber, and NBB member and Nebraska farmer and livestock producer Greg Anderson, who explain the bottom line results from a new study.

Check out the NBB’s reports here: AF T BD Demand Impact Final and SBM Analysis Feb 2011 Final

You can listen to the Domestic Fuel Cast here: Domestic Fuel Cast - Biodiesel and Livestock

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

Audio, Biodiesel, Domestic Fuel Cast, livestock, livestock feed, NBB

Edeniq Expands Into Brazil

Joanna Schroeder

Edeniq, with its partner Usina Vale, a Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer, has begun to engineer and construct a bagasse to sugars demonstration-scale plant. The biorefinery will produce cellulosic sugars from sugarcane bagasse and then convert it into ethanol. The plant will handle up to 20 tons per day of bagasse and will be co-located at Usina Vale’s ethanol and sugar production site in São Paulo State, Brazil. One goal of the project is to demonstrate how sugarcane mills can economically increase ethanol production with Edeniq’s bolt-on technologies.

After a feasibility study was completed, Usina Vale signed a collaboration agreement with Edeniq under which they are jointly funding the bagasse to sugar demonstration-scale plant, believed to be the first of its kind in the region. Co-locating the demo plant at Usina Vale’s commercial site will accelerate the technology scale-up from demo to full-scale, and the technology will then be deployed at affiliated ethanol plants.

“Brazil has a large and growing demand for ethanol,” said Pedro Augusto Menezes de Toledo Florencio, CEO of Usina Vale. “We believe Edeniq’s technology will allow us to increase ethanol production in a very economical way, allowing us to meet the growing demand of our customers and our country.”

According to Edeniq, their technologies efficiently break down biomass to liberate cellulosic sugars that can be converted into ethanol and other products. Edeniq owns and operates a fully integrated two ton per day pilot plant in Visalia, California, in partnership with Logos Technologies, using its proprietary Cellunator, which mechanically pre-treats biomass so that it can be more easily converted to sugars, increasing sugar yield and thus driving an increase in ethanol yield. The Brazil plant will also include this technology.

“Through this partnership with Usina Vale, we are further demonstrating our model of increasing the efficiency, scalability and sustainability of biofuels through low capital and operating cost technologies that can be integrated directly into existing ethanol production sites,” added Brian Thome, President and CEO of Edeniq. “Edeniq is developing the lowest cost route to cellulosic sugars, which will lead to low cost ethanol production for our partners like Usina Vale.”

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Brazil, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

RFA Calls for Removal of Trade Distorting Policies

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling on the Obama Administration to help remove certain trade distorting policies in Brazil that they say have contributed to the dramatic decline in exports of ethanol to Brazil. The organization’s President and CEO, Bob Dinneen, sent a letter to US Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk asking for assistance on the matter.

The letter seeks assistance from the USTR in convincing Brazil to reverse its decision to reduce blend volumes from 25 percent to 18 percent, and remove a tariff imposed by the state of Sao Paulo that is discriminating against a vast majority of exports to Brazil. While imports of ethanol from Brazil continue to flow into the U.S. at the rate of about 50 – 60 million gallons per month with the help of the RFS, exports to Brazil have been reduced significantly as a result of these trade barriers.

Most analysts expect the U.S. to export just 650-750 million gallons for the entire year, with only about 10-15 percent of the ethanol going to Brazil.

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

Alternative energy, biofuels, Brazil, Ethanol, Exports, RFA

U of L Establishes $50,000 Renewable Energy Prize

Joanna Schroeder

The University of Louisville (U of L) is now offering a new $50,000 award – the Leigh Ann Conn Prize for Renewable Energy – to recognize outstanding energy ideas or achievements that have shown or likely will have global impact. The goal of the award is to spotlight wide-ranging research related to the science, technology, engineering and commercialization of renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout the world.

The prize, managed by U of L’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, is named for the late daughter of Hank and Rebecca Conn of Atlanta, research center supporters and prize benefactors. The recipient will be announced in fall 2013 and will give a public talk in Louisville about the winning work and participate in community and campus events as well as a medal ceremony.

“This unique prize will show the world that U of L and the Conn family are serious about growing, fostering and rewarding innovation in energy research,” said U of L President James Ramsey.

Nominations will be judged on factors such as economic effect, level of challenge, originality, creativity, scientific merit, commercialization and global impact on energy use and demand reduction. Organizers encourage nominations from scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, technologists, professional groups, publishers and university leaders. Award submissions will go through several levels of review, including an external panel with representatives from industry, academia and national laboratories.

Nominations for the first Leigh Ann Conn Prize recipient will be accepted through March 1, 2013. To learn more visit the Leigh Ann Conn Prize website.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy

Vidaris Expands Renewable Energy Division

Joanna Schroeder

Vidaris Inc. has expanded its Vadaris Renewable Energy Division to address the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. The company’s industry list includes solar photovoltaic, building-integrated building-integrated photovoltaic, building-applied photovoltaic, wind, and solar thermal integrated technologies. More specifically, the company has expertise in renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic, BIPV, BAPV, wind, and solar thermal systems for both new construction projects and existing building upgrades.

The company provides clients with an independent, third-party advisor to evaluate project opportunities and assist in the design, integration and implementation of renewable energy technologies.

“Our Renewable Energy Division enables clients to strategically navigate the renewable energy marketplace and take advantage of the many benefits renewable energy offers to building value,” concluded John Hannum, PE, VP of Energy Services.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Company Announcement, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

This December Head to Canada

Joanna Schroeder

This December head to Ottawa, Canada for the 9th Annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit (CRFS) being held December 3-5, 2012. This year’s theme, “Sustainable, Secure & Diverse Energy Now!” will focus on Canadian policy for the ethanol and biodiesel industries.

Program topics include: The Future of the Bioeconomy in Canada; Forces Shaping the North America Biodiesel Industry; Ensuring Market Opportunities and Fuel Quality Throughout the Supply Chain; Dedicated Crop Opportunities for Drop-In Renewable Jet Fuel; Industry Perspectives on Next Generation Production in Canada; and Updates from International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Association (ISCC) and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Conference keynote speakers include: Chantal Hébert, Columnist for the Toronto Star; Mark Jaccard, Professor, Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University; Senator JoAnne L. Buth, Senate of Canada; and many more.

Click here to learn more about this year’s program and to register online.

Alternative energy, Biodiesel, biojet fuel, conferences, Ethanol

Propel & Solazyme Deliver Algae-Based Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

Propel Fuels is believed to be the first in the nation to sell consumers algae-based fuel at the pump compliments of Solazyme Inc. The two companies have joined together to offer Solazyme’s algae-based Soladiesel®BD in the Bay Area. The month long pilot program provides the biofuels industry the first opportunity to test consumer response to the advanced biofuel.

According to a statement from Propel, Solazyme’s high quality algae-based SoladieselBD meets or exceeds ASTM quality specifications and has shown performance enhancements including cold temperature operating performance. The fuel is compatible with existing diesel engines and Propel is guaranteeing the fuel’s performance. The algae-based fuel will be sold at the same price as conventional diesel fuels and will be available exclusively at Propel’s Clean Fuel Points in Redwood City, San Jose (N. First St.), Berkeley, and Oakland.

“Propel is committed to providing our customers with access to the highest quality, most sustainable, domestically produced fuels, so we’re proud to introduce the next generation of fuels to the retail market,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels. “Propel’s growing station network provides the critical link between these future fuels and today’s consumer fuel tanks, giving our customers a chance to make history.”

Solazyme’s technology platform converts plant sugars into oils in a few days. Testing undertaken by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that, in a 20 percent blend, SoladieselBD significantly outperforms ultra-low sulfur diesel in total hydrocarbons (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter tailpipe emissions. This includes an approximate 30 percent reduction in particulates, a 20 percent reduction in CO and an approximate 10 percent reduction in THC.

“Solazyme’s revolutionary algae-based technology platform has supplied our development partners and customers with advanced biofuels that meet or exceed some of the world’s most stringent fuels specifications and requirements, “ added Bob Ames, VP of Fuels, Solazyme.  “We’ve successfully demonstrated our land-based fuels in fleet vehicles and corporate busses, and are excited about this pilot program with Propel because it enables us to make these fuels available to the public.”

advanced biofuels, algae, Biodiesel, blends, Renewable Energy