IKEA Plugs-In Largest Solar PV System in Minnesota

Joanna Schroeder

I must confess to you readers that I have furniture by IKEA in my home and in fact, drove to Minneapolis/St. Paul for a weekend just to go shopping. Now, this same store officially plugged-in its new solar panels installed in its Twin Cities store in Bloomington, Minnesota. The 128,000 square-foot PV array consists of 1,014 kW system built with 4,316 panels. It is now the largest photovoltaic array in the state and is estimated to produce approximately 1,161,328 kWh of clean electricity annually.

The rooftop solar energy system is the 31st completed project for the company with eight projects still under construction. Design, development and installation was overseen by SoCore Energy.

“We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of improving the sustainability of our day-to-day business,” said James Organ, IKEA store manager.  “The Twin Cities coworkers are excited to contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar panels.  We appreciate the support of the City of Bloomington, Xcel Energy and SoCore Energy, our partners in this project.”

Today, 89% of IKEA stores in the U.S. are powered with solar with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each solar PV system and globally has allocated €590 million to invest in renewable energy, focusing on solar and wind during the coming three years.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

NPS Turbines Surpass 2M Hours of Operation

Joanna Schroeder

The wind is definitely blowing these days and this is one of the reasons that wind energy is a great alternative energy source. Today Northern Power Systems is celebrating a milestone: its NPS 100 permanent magnet direct drive (PM/DD) wind turbine fleet has surpassed two million hours of operation. The company’s 100 kW fleet began operating in 2008 at nearly 98% demonstrating high energy production and little downtime. Currently, more than 175 NPS 100 wind turbines are installed and operating in the 25 U.S. states as well as in the Bahamas, Canada, Italy, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

“We are very proud to have achieved the two million hour milestone while maintaining high fleet availability,” said Troy Patton, President and CEO at Northern Power Systems. “Northern Power’s PM/DD technology delivers the performance and reliability that are fundamental to the long term success of distributed power generation around the world.”

With hurricane season upon us, wind turbines can help detect wind speeds. Last year when Hurricane Irene, a Class III hurricane, hit the Bahamas directly, the turbines detected high winds of up to 107.1 miles per hour (mph) and automatically entered safe mode. The next morning, the winds died down and the NPS 100 turbines began operating normally with no need for any maintenance or repair. NPS turbines are designed to stand up to winds up to 133 mph (59.5 m/s).

A little wind fact: if wind speeds are to high, usually during major storms, wind turbines are shut down for safety.

“Our NPS 100 customers get clean, cost effective renewable energy from turbines that fit perfectly in remote locations as well as industrial areas and communities. The turbine’s reliable, safe and simple operation gives owners peace of mind and delivers the highest energy output in its class for the best return on their investment,” said Reinout Oussoren, Vice President of Global Sales at Northern Power Systems.

With the proof in the wind of the success of NPS 100 wind turbines, Northern Power Systems is expanding its turbine portfolio citing several key benefits of the turbines including the the need for only minimal infrastructure, provide easy installation and maintenance, and eliminate the need for transmission lines for grid connectivity.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Tell Governors No to RFS Waiver

Joanna Schroeder

As the political frenzy heats up leading into the Democratic and Republican Conventions, the ethanol industry’s campaign to stop a waiver to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is heating up as well. This week, several ethanol organizations have sent out letters to key legislatures including governors explaining why there is no need for a waiver. The governors who are advocating for a waiver include Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and New Mexico.

The letter from Growth Energy supports statements made by others in the industry including an explanation of the inherent flexibility built into the RFS and how obligated parties can easily meet the volume requirements this year. The letter also debunks the fallacy of the total corn crop that is actually used in ethanol production. In addition, the letter explains that waiving the RFS would not have any significant impact on corn prices; rather, commodity prices are affected by speculation and Mother Nature.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis dropped by the Farm Progress Show Tuesday just before heading to Tampa for the Republican convention and Cindy Zimmerman was able to speak with him in more detail about why a waiver for the RFS would not help, but hurt farmers, the ethanol industry and most important consumers.

You can listen to the full interview with Tom Buis here: Tell Governors No to RFS Waiver

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen said in his organization’s letter, “The rash of governors rushing to appease the pleas of the livestock and food processing industries are ignoring the damage a waiver would do to consumers at the pump. Removing ethanol from our fuel mix would drive oil and gasoline prices higher, adding pain at the pump and increased cost at the checkout counter due to higher energy costs for farmers, food processors, and food transporters. These increases in gas prices would far outpace any negligible relief to food prices from a waiver. The alleged economic harm cited by these governors does not rise to the kind of economic harm EPA determined necessary to waive the RFS. The facts cited in support of their case also fail to pass muster.”

Audio, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, Growth Energy, RFA

Gas Prices Rise with Isaac’s Arrival

Joanna Schroeder

Gas prices are beginning to rise in anticipation of hurricane Isaac, directly headed to New Orleans nearly seven years after hurricane Katrina. While evacuation plans were underway in the city, President Obama was in Ames, Iowa and Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association brought a letter for the president asking him to take emergency action to suspend the federal petroleum mandate for the next four to six week so retailers could use higher blends of ethanol. This would help make up for any lost petroleum production if any refineries should take a hit during the storm.

The letter reads, “With the busy Labor Day weekend right around the corner, the last thing American consumers need is higher gasoline prices – but that is just what they’ll get.  Nearly 80 percent of the daily oil production in the Gulf region has been halted due to Tropical Storm Isaac.  The storm has also shut down the refining operations in the area – 40 percent of America’s entire refining capacity.  According to the National Journal, these operations are expected to be off-line at least two weeks.

Therefore, IRFA is asking you to take emergency action to suspend the federal petroleum mandate for the next four to six weeks. Currently federal law requires that a minimum of 85 percent of every gallon of gas sold in America be from petroleum sources. If retailers sell or consumers buy a fuel blended with less petroleum (i.e. more ethanol) they are subject to a $37,500 per day fine by the federal government.

Due to the current petroleum challenges, if gasoline prices increase by only a modest 20 cents per gallon for four weeks, that equates to a “mandate tax” of over $300 million dollars – more than a quarter of a billion dollars!

According to the Energy Information Administration, there are over 775 million gallons of ethanol in storage today. If provided the regulatory flexibility to do so, retailers could use this ethanol to make up for the lost petroleum production over the next few weeks during this emergency situation.  Not only would ethanol add supply to the market, but ethanol is already less expensive than gasoline.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Getting More Products From Soybeans

Joanna Schroeder

During the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society a new integrated soybean biorefinery was revealed. The technology is designed to create a wider portfolio of products from soybeans.

“Mention soybeans to most people, and they immediately think of the oil,” said Ramani Narayan, Michigan State (MSU) University Distinguished Professor, who reported on the new biorefinery technology. “Soybean oil is the world’s most widely used edible oil. It’s in some margarines, shortenings, mayonnaise, salad dressings, frozen foods, baked goods and many other items. But soybeans are about more than oil. Soybeans are nuggets of green gold that can be a treasure trove of ingredients for other products, and our new biorefinery provides a glimpse of that potential.”

The biorefinery is a fairly new product, often times it is associated with second generation feedstocks such as corn stover, algae and agricultural waste that can produce biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals. Until now, the mention of soybeans in this emerging environment was rare.

Narayan aid that soybeans pack similar potential as corn as a feedstock but until now, soybean processing facilities have typically focused on producing oils and meal for livestock feed. Switching to the biorefinery concept, the soybean can be transformed into a much wider array of valuable materials. For example, components of a soybean could be turned into polyurethanes, including rigid foam insulation, flexible foams for packaging, as well as coatings, adhesives and elastomers.

The soybean meal could be further processed to yield components used in polyester plastics for fabrics, ropes, car tires, plastic bottles, and LCD screens as well as used in Nylon and Kevlar for bulletproof vests and fire-resistant Nomex. Not enough? Soybeans could also be broken down and built back up as as an ingredient is formaldehyde, a toxic chemical used in a range of products from paint to clothing to children’s toys. And the list goes on.

“The biorefinery can utilize essentially every component of the soybean in the production of bio-based ingredients for high-value products,” Narayan added. “It makes sense from a sustainability standpoint, in which we strive to reduce our dependence on petroleum as a feedstock. It also benefits the soybean farmers and raises the value of the local economy.”

Agribusiness, biochemicals, Biodiesel, biofuels, biomaterials, bioplastics, Soybeans

Railroad Transportation Company Turns to Propane

Joanna Schroeder

Trains may not run on alternative fuels just yet, but one of the companies that provides railroad crew transportation solutions does. Rezenberger recently unveiled ten 2012 ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fueled Ford E-350 shuttle vans for its California fleet.

The unveiling took place during an event called “Less Traffic, Lower Emissions — Crew Transportation Company Rides Clean with Propane Autogas,” held at the BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal Facility. During the event key members of the Rezenberger and ROUSH CleanTech team showcased the benefits of propane. Attendees were able to experience the performance of propane by test-driving the vehicles.

“Choosing propane autogas to fuel our fleet vehicles has allowed Renzenberger to reduce the carbon footprint of our company and lower fuel costs, while providing a safe, sustainable and reliable transportation solution to transport California employees,” said Karen Seitter, president of Renzenberger. “This area is known for congestion, and we are reducing both traffic and emissions.”

When considering the switch, Renzenberger estimated they will save nearly $14,500 per vehicle in fuel costs each year. This is important because the company logs more than 60 million miles each year transporting railroad, oil and gas and its employees to and from work sites across the country. The company has a private on-site station at its San Bernardino, California location and also takes advantage of public propane autogras stations across Southern California.

Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH added, “We are excited to help Renzenberger achieve their safety and sustainability goals with this clean-burning alternative to gasoline. Renzenberger plays an important role in safely transporting railway crew from job site to job site. They’re now able to do this cleaner, safer and less expensively using propane autogas.”

Propane

Ethanol Industry Seeks Obama’s Support

Joanna Schroeder

The newly formed Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council sent a letter this week to President Obama in an effort to stress the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Many organizations have been calling for a waiver of the RFS due to severe drought conditions this summer but the ethanol industry says that the RFS was developed to allow flexibility for various situations including severe weather conditions. The letter also explains several counterintuitive consequences of waiving the RFS.

One of the Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council members, Growth Energy, said about the letter, “While the Environmental Protection Agency has the fiduciary duty to review the petitions filed by state governors, I felt it was critical that the industry communicated the importance of the RFS and how a waiver will not accomplish the goal of bringing down grain prices,” said Tom Buis CEO of Growth Energy.

The Council says that blaming ethanol industry is disingenuous and misplaced and in the letter addresses much of the misinformation. For instance, the letter says, ethanol production does not use 40 percent of the corn, only 16 percent of the total net corn acreage. The starch is removed and the fiber is used for animal feed. In addition, the Council says the market is already working in the response to high commodity prices.

One other fact the Council points out is that obligated parties will continue to use ethanol blends in gasoline because it remins the cheapest way to increase octane. Should ethanol be removed from the fuel supply, gas prices would go up, not down, and negatively affect consumers.

In conclusion, the letter says that one isolated event should not dictate policy decisions. Click here to read the letter in full.

corn, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Organic Produce Company Harnesses Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Food producers and manufacturers continue to harness the sun. Watsonville Coast Produce, based in Watsonville, California, has just gone online with a 739.2 kW solar power system to generate all the electricity needed to power its agricultural distribution facility. The 44,000 square foot warehouse has nearly 450,000 cubic feet of refrigerated space to house its organic produce before being shipped out to consumers.

The Solar Company assisted in the design and installation of the solar power system that is comprised of 2,400 SunPower panels. Estimated annual production is 1,094,576 kWh, powering a projected one year savings of $134,314 and 10 year savings of $1,770,367.

“We anticipate saving nearly $120,000 within the first year of production,” said Gary Manfre.

Agribusiness, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Car Talker Responds to SEMA Ethanol Slam

Joanna Schroeder

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), has slammed ethanol saying it opposes the use of E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. They are one of many organizations that have brought a lawsuit against the use of E15 that also included manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment. The organization says ethanol increases water formation that can create formic acid and corrode metals plastics and rubber.

The court has ruled in favor of E15 and now SEMA is spearheading a campaign targeted at U.S. Congress calling for them to enact legislation to ban the sale of E15.

In response, Bobby Likis, who is best known for his national radio program Car Clinic, has come out in support of ethanol (scroll down to see his response) the most researched fuel in the history of America. Likis writes that it is as if “…SEMA is more interested in sustaining old-think…outdated technologies” and “continued dependence on foreign oil.”

He continues to say that old car parts can be updated and people are smart enough to know that E15 is only approved for cars manufactured after 2001. He also put out a call to action asking consumers to let their representative know they support choice at the pump and to defeat federal legislation (HR 3199) that would ban the sale of E15.

automotive, biofuels, blends, Ethanol, Opinion

Export Exchange 2012 Heads to Minneapolis

Joanna Schroeder

Minneapolis, Minnesota is the home of the Export Exchange 2012 on October 22-24, 2012. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grain Council and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), past events have attracted nearly 400 people from more than 30 countries ranging from domestic industry leaders to international buyers.

There will be many topics of discussion including a big picture overview of key factors that will drive global food and agriculture over the next decade. Other topics will include a review of U.S. and global supply and demand outlook for coarse grains in the coming year. The presentation by Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dr. Joe Glauber will touch on the 2012 harvest and its potential impact on world and domestic consumption and trade patterns.

Along with Dr. Glauber, Carl Casale, CEO of CHS will be the keynote speaker giving a global market outlook, RFA Present and CEO Bob Dinneen will discuss U.S. agriculture and energy policy, and Dr Michael Boland, Director of the Food Industry Center at the University of Minnesota will discuss the economic characteristics of the agrifood supply chain.

Registration is currently open. You can learn more about the conference and register online by visiting the Export Exchange 2012 website.

Agribusiness, biofuels, conferences, corn, Ethanol, Exports, RFA