Wind Energy – There’s an App for That

Joanna Schroeder

There is an app for pretty much anything you can dream up and now there is an iPad app for wind and solar energy. Developed by Capstone Turbine Corporation, “Capstone World 2.0,” is an application where a person can determine energy cost savings and carbon dioxide emission reduction numbers of city buildings if he switched to microturbines, solar power or wind turbines.

When you download the free app, the first interactive component experienced is the Distributed Energy Calculator.  By culling electric rates from utilities, the app is able to estimate energy cost savings and emission reductions of microturbines, solar PV and wind turbines as separate energy sources or when combined together.

From there, the user is able to explore the diverse landscape where Capstone microturbines are in use. Set up as an interactive tutorial, per se, the program enables users to click on an application to learn how Capstone microturbines help save money, energy, and the environment. Each industry area includes written and video case studies.

“This is the first-of-its-kind iPad app,” said Darren Jamison, Capstone President and Chief Executive Officer. “With the introduction of Capstone World 2.0, our goal is to provide real world data that will help people make smart energy decisions for the clean energy future we all want and need.”

Jamison added, “We believe a holistic approach to clean, decentralized energy is imperative. Our low-emission microturbines are a clean-and-green energy source that can be installed anywhere and, when considered with solar and wind power, can craft a future where economical, reliable, clean energy is the norm.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

REG Opens Biodiesel Terminal in Long Beach

Joanna Schroeder

A new biodiesel terminal is off and running in Long Beach, California compliments of the Renewable Energy Group (REG). The first truckload of biodiesel was picked up by Whole Energy, a fuel distributor and retailer operating in Washington, Oregon and California.

“Whole Energy is committed to biodiesel, helping Californians meet their carbon reduction goals, and offering supply for Oregon and Washington blending requirements,” said Gary Haer, VP Sales and Marketing at Renewable Energy Group. “REG’s terminal agreement with Maxum Petroleum expands the opportunity for West Coast distributors like Whole Energy to blend biodiesel for public and private diesel fleets.”

Atul Deshmane, CEO and President of Whole Energy said that biodiesel has demonstrated both great performance and low carbon characteristics and is an important part of meeting California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. REG recently registered its REG-9000 biodiesel produced at its biodiesel facility in Seneca, Illinois with a carbon intensity as low as 4.0 gCO2e/MJ.

“We are excited about the opportunity to offer biodiesel from the nation’s largest biodiesel producer and marketer in California,” added Deshmane. “Whole Energy is committed to a multi-region approach for offering biodiesel blends for fleets and consumers who are looking to go green, enhance performance and protect the earth with a sustainable fuel.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, REG

Oregon Begins Testing Wave Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Oregon is beginning testing wave energy as a potential renewable energy resource. Northwest Energy Innovations has installed a wave energy device off the coast of Newport, Oregon known as Wave Energy Technology-New Zealand (WET-NZ). The technology has been deployed at the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center’s (NNMREC) open ocean test facility.

“This is a huge milestone for the WET-NZ technology, for Oregon, and for the wave energy industry as a whole,” said NWEI Program Manager Justin Klure. “We are excited to have the opportunity to lead the deployment of the WET-NZ device off Oregon’s coast with the support of NNMREC, our funding partners and a host of marine professionals.”

The WET-NZ is a multi-mode waver energy converter and maximizes energy capture by harnessing power from the heave, pitch and surge motions of passing waves. From there, the power generated is transmitted through an underwater cable to the test center’s Ocean Sentinel, the instrumentation buoy that dissipates the electricity and records power performance data.

Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) Executive Director Jason Busch said of the project, “OWET’s mission is to responsibly develop the ocean energy industry in Oregon, and helping NWEI get the WET-NZ in the water is a major step towards achieving that goal. In-ocean testing will move the technology towards commercialization and lead to a better understanding of technology performance and impacts in real-world conditions. This is a major accomplishment for NWEI, NNMREC and Oregon.”

The technology is the product of a research consortium between Industrial Research Limited, a Crown Research Institute, and Power Projects Limited, a Wellington-based private company.  The deployment portion of the project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and OWET.

Electricity, Energy

Vilsack Talks Biofuels at DNC

John Davis

Delegates gathered to nominate Pres. Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC heard from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who pointed to his boss’ commitment to biofuels and rural America. “President Obama has a detailed plan for a new rural economy,” Vilsack told the delegates. “More support for small businesses making, creating and innovating. More investment in biofuels and other biomaterials. And more trade and more markets.”

Vilsack said rural Americans want someone who will help the middle class and that Obama and running mate Vice President Joe Biden are the ones to keep things moving forward.

In a recent ZimmPoll, Obama and Biden’s challengers, Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seem to be holding a small lead in a close race, with 42 percent choosing Romney/Ryan and 35 percent going for Obama/Biden. But nearly a quarter of respondents say we need a better choice.

Hear Vilsack’s remarks here: Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack at DNC

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, politics

Growth Energy Receiving Support From New Holland

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland proudly displayed its support for the ethanol industry during the 2012 Farm Progress Show as you can see on the side of the CR6090 Combine. They are the first major manufacturer of farm equipment to do so in this manner. As part of that initiative New Holland has become a partner with Growth Energy and American Ethanol. They are a “Clean Energy Leader!” I learned more about this partnership from Mark Hooper, New Holland Director, Commercial Growth Initiatives.

Here are some of the reasons New Holland supports what Growth Energy and the ethanol industry is doing:

  • Reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil
  • Energy that is more environmentally friendly
  • Renewable energy that is sustainable over many generations to come
  • Production that produces jobs for rural America – jobs that will not be exported
  • Support and stability for farmers in America and their families

Mark says the partnership helps New Holland get closer to its customers. He says they recognize the impact ethanol has had on its business and farmer customers. Mark says New Holland is actively involved with Growth Energy initiatives and is “going to our dealers and our growers and putting on events across the country where we bring them in and really partner with the local ethanol plant promoting the message of E15, energy independence, food vs. fuel and dispelling the myths that are out there right now.” New Holland is also a partner with American Ethanol as a NASCAR sponsor.

Listen to my interview with Mark here: Interview with Mark Hooper

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, American Ethanol, Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, New Holland

Look For Decrease in Equipment Sales

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”How will the drought affect farm equipment sales?” At last week’s Farm Progress Show where there was a lot of equipment on display the talk was dominated by weather.

Our poll results: sixty-three percent said sales will drop; six percent said sales will increase and thirty-one percent said no impact.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, ”What tillage practice changes will you make due to drought?” The continued dry conditions are changing a lot of things in agriculture. Are tillage practices one of them? What do you think?

a href=”http://www.rkconnect.com/Home.aspx”>ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Blue Star Gas Takes to Wild Blue Yonder

John Davis

West Coast propane distributor Blue Star Gas is rising to new heights… literally! The company is partnering with Wine Country Balloons to launch the largest hot air balloon in California’s Sonoma County. Flights will carry passengers over the picturesque areas of Napa, Sonoma and Lake Counties, as well as the Russian River and the Wine Country.

“Propane has fueled modern hot air balloons for the last 50 years, and we’re proud to continue such a celebrated pastime with this beautiful new balloon,” says Blue Star Gas President Jeff Stewart, whose family has owned the company for three generations. “For decades, Blue Star Gas has supplied clean, reliable propane to area residents and businesses alike — it’s the same efficient energy that now fuels the Blue Star Gas balloon and, incidentally, also an EPA-certified, clean-burning alternative motor fuel.”

“We’ve relied on Blue Star Gas for years to power our balloons,” says Captain Scott van der Horst, owner of Wine Country Balloons, “so we’re pleased to work with them on such a massive balloon. Most people don’t realize the fuel you use for so many domestic purposes also flies hot air balloons across the skies of California’s wine country and around the world.”

The balloon can carry as many as 20 passengers. More information is available at WineCountryBalloons.com.

Propane

Ethanol Eliminates 100 Mil Tons of Green House Gases

John Davis

A new report from an international group promoting biofuels says the forecasted amount of global ethanol production this year will eliminate green house gas (GHG) emissions of 100 million tons in 2012. The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has released its annual forecast and puts the amount equal to 20.2 million cars being taken off the road.. the total number of vehicles registered in Mexico or the total GHG emissions of all of the Philippines.

“This is all very good news because these figures clearly show that biofuels are continuing to play a critical role in reducing damaging GHG emissions around the world,” stated Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA.

“In the wake of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, this data confirms that to successfully combat climate change, biofuels must be part of our future energy mix,” added Mr. Baker.

The report comes as the Global Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change is underway in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Lallemand Acquires Yeast Co., Expands Ethanol Biz

John Davis

Canadian company Lallemand, which researches, develops, produces, markets and distributes yeast and bacteria, has acquired Atlanta, Georgia-based North American Bioproducts Corporation (NABC), a provider of yeast and fermentation adjuncts as well as support and education services for the ethanol industry, to form a larger business to make ethanol.

This new Business Unit, yet to be named, will be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and managed by NABC Founder, Kevin Dailey.

Said Jean Chagnon, President of Lallemand; “This transaction underscores Lallemand’s commitment to continued investment to better serve the biofuels and distilled beverage markets worldwide.”

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to bring together two successful companies” said Bill Nankervis, President of Lallemand’s Specialties Division. “This will increase our market reach and enhance our capability to commercialize new technologies such as the TransFerm yeast. Our customers and our people, as always, will remain top priorities throughout the merger process.”

Lallemand employs about 2,400 employees located in more than 36 countries worldwide.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Companies Point to Successes to Justify RFS

John Davis

As the EPA considers a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) due to the impact the drought is having on corn supplies, members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, BIO, are urging the agency to preserve the standard. During a news conference today, BIO provided a progress report on advanced biofuels to make the case in favor of the RFS, pointing out how the standard helped reduce dependence on foreign oil while growing jobs here in the U.S.

Several officials from companies involved in biotech and how it applies to renewable energy, including Christopher G. Standlee, Executive Vice President, Abengoa Bioenergy; James C. Collins, President, DuPont Industrial Biosciences; Pat Gruber, CEO, Gevo; Adam Monroe, President, Novozymes North America; Dan Cummings, Business Manager for Florida cellulosic ethanol producer INEOS New Planet Energy; and Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, highlighted how their companies have thrived with the RFS.

Standlee, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Advanced Ethanol Council, said cellulosic ethanol development is something his company has been working on for 10 years and believes the advancements Abengoa and other advanced biofuel makers have made are because of the RFS. “The overall development of this industry is driven primarily driven by the [RFS] and is the primary driver of second-generation technology and the ability to develop new sources of fuel to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

Berven said that the RFS gives farmers the confidence to move forward in “changing our energy landscape from one dependent on foreign oil to one based on domestic, renewable resources.” He also pointed out that for every one billion gallons of ethanol to be produced, there are an expected 10,000 to 20,000 jobs to be created. And the RFS calls for an additional 16 billion gallons of biofuels produced by 2022. “That’s a lot of jobs,” Berven said

BIO concluded saying that the country is at a vital point for advanced biofuels and is encouraged by this show of support from companies who are putting steel in the ground and Americans on their payrolls and what could be done in the future.

Listen to the full news conference here: BIO News Conference on RFS

Audio, BIO, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, feedstocks, Government, RFS