Marine Exchange Goes Green

Joanna Schroeder

The Marine Exchange of Southern California has just completed a renewable energy project that included the addition of solar and wind power. The energy generated will power all the Marine Exchange electricity needs for its operations for tracking vessels entering and leaving all Southern California waters.

The $450,000 project was supported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power along with the Port of Los Angeles. EcoMedia entered into an advertising partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, where a portion of the Port’s TV ad costs were provided by EcoMedia to support the project. With the help of city grants and rebates, the direct cost to the Marine Exchange was less than $200,000.

“With this project, the Marine Exchange gains its energy independence and Los Angeles takes another step forward to becoming one of the world’s cleanest big cities,” said Mayor Villaraigosa, who was at an event to showcase the new renewable energy project. “Government can’t do it alone, and we applaud the Marine Exchange of Southern California for teaming with us to create a winning project that makes our city a healthier place to live and work.”

The project took two years to complete. Built atop one of the highest points in San Pedro, there are 286 solar panels and four wind turbines generating 87 kW – enough to power the Marine Exchange’s 55-60 kW needs and feed the remaining electricity to the grid. The wind turbines were built with an experimental vertical generator to protect birds.

“We are the modern equivalent of a lighthouse that helps ships find their way safely,” added Capt. Richard McKenna, Executive Director of the Marine Exchange. “With this project, we are also a figurative lighthouse helping to guide the way to cleaner, greener operations in the San Pedro Bay.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

Iowa 2012 Champions of Renewable Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) PAC is honoring 20 Iowa state legislators with “Champion of Renewable Fuels” awards.

The IRFA PAC Board established the awards for state legislators with a clear voting record supporting renewable fuels and who also provided leadership for renewable fuels in the Iowa Legislature. This is the second election cycle that the IRFA PAC has given such recognition.

“The IRFA PAC is proud of the broad support for renewable fuels these ‘Champion’ awards represent,” stated IRFA PAC Treasurer Walt Wendland, general manager of Golden Grain Energy and Homeland Energy Solutions. “Iowa is in a unique position to lead the nation toward availability and acceptance of higher renewable fuels blends like E15 and B10. But that won’t happen without leadership. These award winners have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the renewable fuels industry and worked relentlessly to strengthen Iowa’s economy by improving opportunities for ethanol and biodiesel.”

Recipients of the 2012 Champion of Renewable Fuels awards are State Senators Randy Feenstra, Mike Gronstal, Merlin Bartz, Jeff Danielson, Tim Kapucian and Tom Courtney; and State Representatives Dan Huseman, Henry Rayhons, Helen Miller, Gary Worthan, Dan Muhlbauer, Jason Schultz, Cecil Dolecheck, Dan Kelley, Josh Byrnes, Brian Quirk, Sharon Steckman, Linda Upmeyer, Dave Jacoby, and Jim Lykam.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Iowa RFA

REG to Offer Biodiesel at California Terminal

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Energy Group will be offering wholesale biodiesel under a new agreement with Maxum Petroleum at its Rancho Dominguez (California) terminal location outside of Long Beach.

Under the supply agreement, the terminal is expected to offer REG-9000® biodiesel to petroleum jobbers or large fleets beginning mid-August. Maxum Petroleum is one of the largest independent energy logistics companies in North America and will operate the terminal. Renewable Energy Group (REG) also recently announced biodiesel availability at a terminal near Lebanon, Ohio and at its own terminal in Clovis, New Mexico.

“This new terminal will help consumers in the Los Angeles region become more energy independent, meet carbon reduction goals and improve air quality with America’s Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel,” said REG’s Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Gary Haer. “Biodiesel is a sustainable, drop-in fuel for diesel applications and a lower carbon fuel for a state which consumed more than 3.5 billion gallons of distillate fuel in 2010, according to the EIA. Renewable Energy Group is proud to offer high quality biodiesel to help enhance energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions across southern California.”

Haer noted the new relationship with Maxum Petroleum would benefit new California customers. “We have confidence in the team at Maxum to quickly and efficiently process orders and load trucks to make biodiesel blending an easy step for any diesel distributor in the area,” he added.

Biodiesel, REG

‘Clean Energy Victory Bonds’ Would Spur Alt Energy

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Representative Bob Filner has introduced the “Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2012 (PTC)” that would allow Americans to invest billions of dollars to help develop clean energy technologies. The bill has good support: 10 co-sponsors, Green America and more than 40 other institutions have come out in support of the legislation.

The majority of the production tax credits for alternative energy and energy efficiency projects have either expired or are set to expire this year. The tax extender package has some two-year extensions for wind, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol, but not for other energy sources. While it has passed through the Senate Finance Committee, it must still pass the Senate and pass through the House.

This bill would extend all renewable energy and energy efficiency projects up to a decade and also give Americans the ability to help “choose” the projects they would like to support.  Similar to the Victory Bonds from WWII, Clean Energy Victory Bonds could leverage billions of dollars of public and private finance for development.

“The importance of a clean energy future for America cannot be overstated,” said Alisa Gravitz, president of Green America. “Just like Victory Bonds helped to ensure the nation’s victories in World War II, so, too, can Clean Energy Victory Bonds allow Americans to invest in a future that benefits our country economically, politically, and environmentally.”

Should the bill pass, with as little as $25, Americans could buy Clean Energy Victory Bonds from the U.S. Treasury. Over time, the bonds would pay the owner a competitive rate of return.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, bioenergy, Cellulosic, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Geothermal, Solar, Wind

Algae for $2 Per Gallon

Joanna Schroeder

AFS BioOil has conducted initial tests on its algae production system, and the company states that they will be in the $2 per gallon range of production at commercial scale. For advanced biofuels, commercial scale is at least 1 million gallons per year of production.

“The next project for us is one to three million gallon/yr system,” said CEO Vadim Krifuks. “We are putting all our efforts in preparing to execute it.”

Krifuks said his company is looking for partners around the world to join them in their development. Most recently, the company partnered with a renewable electricity company that has the technology to convert waste heat into electricity at a cost of  6 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).  Krifuks believes they can reduce the cost by another 2 cents per kWh.

The next step in this project is for the two companies to combine electricity production with biodiesel production into one facility. The two companies are laying the plans for a 5 MWe renewable electricity and 1 to 3 million gallons per year of biodiesel project. The design stage is underway and the project scope will be released later this year.

advanced biofuels, algae, Biodiesel, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

RFA Debuts New Open Road Ad

Chuck Zimmerman

A new ethanol ad has debuted that focuses on the fact that ethanol is saving consumers at the pump.

Following on the success of its long-running “Right Here, Right Now” ads, the Renewable Fuels Association is debuting a new ad which focuses on ethanol’s ability to lower gas prices at the pump and offer consumers relief in a difficult economy.

The “Open Road” campaign is the first of its kind, focusing on ethanol saving consumers money at the pump and improving overall engine performance. In 2011, the ad points out, the use of ethanol helped reduce the average price of gas by $1.09, saving American families $1,200 over the year. Additionally, as a high octane additive, ethanol helps car engines run cleaner and reduces engine knock and pinging.

Ethanol, RFA, Video

MotorWeek Features Green Ice

Joanna Schroeder

Where else would you find a green Zamboni than in Minnesota? Not even sure what a Zamboni is? It’s the machine used  to resurface ice (think hockey rink). Well these creatures have gone green, and not just the paint color. Brooklyn Park has purchased two electric Zambonies featuring a lead acid battery pack. They, along with other greening efforts of the city, have been featured on MotorWeek’s long running series on PBS.

Other green features of Brooklyn Park? With a grant from the Department of Energy, in partnership with the Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition, more than 100 police, fire and other various city vehicles are running on E85 and biodiesel.

You can learn more by watching the segment in full.

Biodiesel, E85, Electric Vehicles

Ethanol Producers Adapt to Drought, Corn Prices

Joanna Schroeder

Nebraska ethanol producers are responding to a tough market.  With excessive drought conditions and nearly record high corn prices, ethanol producers have decreased their consumption in recent weeks. Latest estimates show the state’s ethanol plants operating at approximately 70 percent of capacity. This is a significant drop from 2011 when plants were running at 100 percent. In 2012, Nebraska ethanol plants produced more than 2 billion gallons.

“This slowing of production is a natural response to drought related market forces and will not preclude the industry from achieving Renewable Fuel Standard benchmarks,” said Steve Hanson, Chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “Higher than normal ethanol stocks and a large number of existing RIN credits for U.S. refiners combine to make RFS standards achievable well into 2013.”

Hanson has stressed what others in the industry have: that according to a study by Iowa State professor Bruce Babcock, a total waiver of the RFS would only reduce corn prices by less than 5 percent and cause only a 5 percent reduction in ethanol production. Livestock and poultry producers have been calling for a RFS waiver, but Hanson noted that dried distillers grains, a bi-product of ethanol production, are still an important and affordable feed option for animals.

“The RFS was created to reduce U.S. petroleum imports and it has done so very effectively,” continued Hanson. “In 2011, 14 billion gallons of domestically produced ethanol replaced 13% of oil imports and reduced the nation’s trade deficit by $50 billion. For the first time in decades, less than half of U.S. petroleum demand was imported. In addition, Nebraska motorists saved more than $50 million in fuel costs due to the lower price for ethanol fuels.”

Lastly, Hanson praised the ethanol industry for creating quality jobs and a more diverse tax base in small communities where many of the ethanol plants are located. A study conducted by Dr. Ken Lemke, chief economist at NPPD, says 7,700 Nebraskans are employed directly and indirectly as a result of the ethanol industry. State and local governments receive more than $50 million dollars in tax revenues and $250 million is added to household incomes in the state.

corn, Ethanol

Novozymes & Fiberight Produce Biofuel from Trash

Joanna Schroeder

Fiberight has announced it has received key federal approval for its production process. The company, who has enlisted Novozymes as a partner, has developed technology to convert non-recycled municipal solid and industrial wastes into advanced biofuels. To achieve federal approval, the company proved its ability to separate recyclable paper, cardboard, plastics, rubber, textiles, metals and glass wastes from organic materials such as food waste.

“The days of waste ending in a landfill are gone,” said Craig Stuart-Paul, Fiberight Chief Executive Officer. “We are giving trash a new beginning – firing our plant and fueling cars and trucks – and providing a less expensive, domestically-made energy source for the country.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking to Fiberight to be one of the first cellulosic biofuels producers to begin producing fuel at commercial scale. According to a company statement, Fiberight is nearing commercialization of advanced biofuels, spurred by the mandates required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2).

The company’s first plant online will be in Lawrenceville, Virginia in which $20 million has been invested. Once running at full production, the facility will produce nearly 1 million gallons per year. The plant is currently focused on putting the enzymes to work to break down the trash.

The next step is to bring a larger-scale commercial facility online in Blairstown, Iowa with a target date of 2013. The Blairstown facility will have capacity to produce six million gallons per year.

advanced biofuels, Waste-to-Energy

Midwest Governors Calls for More B20 Use

Joanna Schroeder

In a letter, the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) has asked diesel engine and vehicle manufacturers to support the use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel + 80 percent diesel) in all diesel run equipment. The call is joined by the Iowa Biodiesel Board along with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is the Chair of MGA.

“As Governors, we see increasing the use of biodiesel as an important part of diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio,” the MGA said in the letter sent to 23 automakers and Original Equipment Manufacturers. “We will continue to encourage policies that will expand consumer access to higher blends of biodiesel…It is our firm belief that companies that support B20 will capture market share from those companies that choose not to support B20—especially in the Midwest.”

As states pass policies mandating the use of higher blends of biodiesel, equipment manufacturers will need to produce equipment that is designed for higher blends of biodiesel. Today, more than 65 percent of engine and equipment manufacturers support B20.

The letter outlines several other key reasons why supporting use of B20 is the correct action to take:

  • More than 13 states are encouraging use of higher biodiesel blends from B2–B20 through a variety of state policies.
  • The use of biodiesel reduces emissions as well as reduces the need for imported oil.
  • The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) calls for the use of 1 billion gallons of advanced biofuels in 2012 (biodiesel is categorized as an advanced biofuel) and increased the use up to 5 billion gallons per year by 2020.
Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board added his organization’s support greater use of higher blends of biodiesel. “This united call to action from 10 governors is an extraordinary show of support for B20, and we commend them for their bold leadership.”
advanced biofuels, Biodiesel