Ag Secretary Says RFS Okay with Ethanol Stocks

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a sobering press briefing Wednesday after meeting with President Obama about the impact of the nation’s drought on agricultural production.

Vilsack says the drought is “most serious situation we’ve had in 25 years” with 61% of the land mass of the United States is currently characterized as being impacted. About one third of the counties in the United States are now designated as secretarial disaster areas and that is expected to grow higher. “This obviously will have an impact on the yields,” he said.

When asked if the drought impact on corn should prompt action by the Environmental Protection Agency to roll back the use of corn for ethanol under the Renewable Fuel Standard, Vilsack said, “There is no need to go to the EPA at this time based on the quantity of ethanol that is in storage.”

The latest Energy Information Administration data from last week showed another drop in ethanol production from the previous week bringing the average weekly rate down to 841,000 barrels per day for an annualized rate of 12.89 billion gallons. Stocks of ethanol now stand at 19.6 million barrels or about 824 million gallons.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, USDA

Using Bacteria for Good

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are using the power of microbes from agricultural waste to create ethanol and hydrogen for fuel cells. The technology was developed by MSU microbiologist Gemma Reguera, who created bioelectrochemical systems known as microbial electrolysis cells or MECs. The process uses bacteria to break down and ferment ag waste into ethanol. The process produces 20 times more energy than existing methods.

According to communication from MSU, the process is unique because it uses a second bacterium. When added to the mix, it removes all waste fermentation byproducts or nonethanol materials, while generating electricity. The results of the research were recently published by Reguera along with co-author and graduate student Allison Spears, in Environmental Science and Technology. 

The research is important because in lab tests have significantly improved energy recovery from corn stover, a budding feedstock for biofuel production, that today hovers around 3.5 percent. However, Reguera’s process averages 35-40 percent energy recovery after factoring in the energy required during the pretreatment phase. What might be even more promising about the platform is that the significant energy recovery is just from the fermentation process.

“This is because the fermentative bacterium was carefully selected to degrade and ferment agricultural wastes into ethanol efficiently and to produce byproducts that could be metabolized by the electricity-producing bacterium,” explained Reguera. Read More

biofuels, Electricity, Ethanol, Hydrogen

Offshore Wind Energy in Europe Doubles

Joanna Schroeder

Yesterday I wrote about the progress of an offshore wind project in the UK, the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration project. Today The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has said that 2012 could be the best year ever for offshore wind energy in Europe. Just this year 532.2 megawatts (MW) or 132 offshore wind turbines have been connected to the grid in since January. This is a 50 percent increase compared to the first six months in 2011 when only 348.1 MW were installed.

Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA noted that this feat was achieved despite global economic and financial turmoil. “Offshore wind power creates jobs in Europe, reduces our fuel import costs, and avoids the global and local health and environmental costs of extracting, transporting and burning fossil fuels. Offshore wind power is increasingly attracting investors, including pension funds and other institutional and corporate investors, but it would be good to see more activity in southern Europe where jobs, investments and growth are desperately needed.”

In addition to what is currently operational, there are another 160 turbines, representing 647.4 MW of energy built and waiting to be connected to the grid. Factors affecting the speed of connection include weather conditions at sea and grid connection delays. Moving forward there are 13 offshore wind farms under construction and when completed will add another 3,762 MW of capacity.

To date, there is a total of 4,336 MW offshore wind capacity up from 3,294 MW in June 2011. This is enough electricity to energize 4 million average sized homes.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Most are Worried about Crops

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How worried are you about the weather impact on crops this summer?”

Our poll results: Seventy-four percent said very worried; twenty-one percent said moderately concerned; four percent said they’re confident the crops will overcome and two percent said “what weather?”.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Should nutrition programs be split out of the Farm Bill?” With all the controversy surrounding cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, there has also been talk that the bill could be split. What do you think – should nutrition be separate from agriculture?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Oil Industry Attacks on E15 Inappropriate

Joanna Schroeder

The ethanol industry is calling recent attacks by the oil industry regarding the use of E15 inappropriate and unreasonable. The latest in an ongoing battle between Big Oil and Little Ethanol occurred when the American Petroleum Institute (API) issued a “warning” to drivers in Kansas to not use E15 being sold at a Zarco 66 station in Lawrence, Kansas. In its first full day of sales, the Zarco 66 station reported E15 sales were 16% of its total unleaded gasoline sales.

Earlier this year, API released a study claiming that the use of E15 in non flex-fuel vehicles was harmful. Ironically, the study also discovered that the use of “straight” gasoline was also harmful to the same vehicles. The study brought the U.S. Department of Energy into the fray when the organization issued a rebuke and reiterated that E15 is the most studied fuel to date with more than 6 million miles of testing with E15 proving no problems in cars or light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or later.

“If you take the argument of API and other biofuel critics to its logical conclusion, based on the study they cite, they should be warning Americans against using so-‘called ‘clear gasoline’ as well given that vehicles failed in their limited testing on that fuel also,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

He continued, “Of course, that would be unrealistic to expect from the nation’s refiners. Equally unrealistic is the smear campaign and fear mongering that is going on surrounding the introduction of E15 into the market. The fact remains that E15 has been the most thoroughly tested fuel in American history and ethanol has been a safe and effective fuel component in wide use for more than three decades. It’s time to move past the nonsense and constructively work to bring Americans the choice at the pump they want and deserve. Such a choice is beginning in Lawrence with E15.”

blends, Ethanol, Oil, RFA

Can Ethanol Meet RFS Demand with Lower Corn Crop?

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels AssociationUSDA already cut the corn crop forecast by 12% but as conditions continue to worsen, concerns are being raised about whether the ethanol industry will be able to meet demand under the Renewable Fuels Standard with a drastically reduced crop.

Renewable Fuels Association VP of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper tackled that question in a white paper posted on the E-xchange Blog. “Even if ethanol production remains at current low levels for the remainder of the year, obligated parties should have no problem meeting their 2012 RFS blending obligations,” according to Cooper, based on the flexibility built into the RFS program “specifically to address unique market conditions and unusual events.”

While ethanol production is dropping and some plants are idling due to tight margins, the good news is there is over 800 million gallons of ethanol currently in storage to help meet the RFS. “Given current gasoline demand, a healthy 20-day supply of ethanol stocks would be 745 mg, meaning current stocks of 820 mg are still slightly on the heavy side,” Cooper said. In addition, excess RINs can be used by obligated parties for compliance in lieu of physical gallons.

The latest Energy Information Administration data puts annualized ethanol production this year at 13.26 billion gallons. The 2012 RFS requirement is for 13.2 billion gallons of “renewable fuel,” which includes, but is not limited to, grain ethanol.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Offshore Wind Project Sails Ahead

Joanna Schroeder

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site off the UK coast is sailing ahead. SeaRoc, a marine engineering company, has been contracted to install the foundation, equipment platform and meteorological mast for the wind energy project. SeaRoc is taking over for the previous contractor and construction is scheduled to begin within the next two months.

Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, the company that owns the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Project, said that this is the largest project of its type in the UK. He also commented that SeaRoc’s services were selected because of their proven track record and innovative approach.

The mast will be installed 3 nautical miles off the coast of Blyth consisting of a 635t tripod foundation, 100t platform and 25t meteorological mast to provide site wind speed measurements alongside the already installed ZephIR 300 wind lidar. In addition, the platform will collect environmental data and will be equipped with a various monitoring sensors.

“The Offshore Demonstration Facility is key to the future of Offshore Wind, both in the UK and globally – SeaRoc are very aware of this and believe there is enormous value for the offshore renewable sector in the development of the Narec site,” said Toby Mead, Operations Director at SeaRoc, who said his company is very well placed to deliver the project. “We view this project as an ideal opportunity to develop a strong working relationship with Narec.”

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Operation Free Campaign Supports Navy Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

A new campaign by a nationwide coalition of military veterans is targeting members of Congress who are opposed to increasing the use of biofuels in the military.

The Operation Free campaign has released a new television advertisement entitled “Trust,” featuring Marine Corps veteran Chris Marzoni who served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the spot, Marzoni says advanced biofuels promise to provide our military a source of fuel besides petroleum, which ties us to a volatile world market and hinders mission readiness.

The first version of the ad to run targets Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), who recklessly voted to halt the Navy’s biofuels programs despite their promise to reduce the military’s dependence on petroleum-based fuels. In the ad, Marzoni asks why Senator Portman doesn’t trust our military leaders when it comes to keeping America safe. The ad is part of a significant buy which will also run in Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Watch the ad with Marzoni here:

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Government, Video

Iowa Biodiesel Board Applauds Peck Motorsports

NASCAR driver Todd Peck of Peck Motorsports made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at the Iowa Speedway in Newton this past weekend.

The day before the race, Peck filled up with B15 at Love’s Travel Center near the track and took part in a pump promotion there. Area fans came to the event to learn about biodiesel and meet Todd Peck (center) who signed autographs. Peck is pictured with Grant Kimberly of the Iowa Soybean Association (left) and Randy Olson of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (right).

“Peck Motorsports is dedicated to be environmentally clean leaders in NASCAR,” said Peck. “Fueling our team transporter full of biodiesel has been a part of that process. We can’t thank the Iowa Biodiesel Board enough for joining our efforts in Iowa this race weekend in making our journey as ‘green’ as possible.”

Based in Pennsylvania, Peck Motorsports, with help from Renewable Engineered Systems, has outfitted its race hauler with solar panels on the roof, which power the newly installed LED lights and equipment. The team’s goal is to drive to and from races using biodiesel blends. He has has used up to 50 percent biodiesel when filling up.

“We commend Peck Motorsports for taking the initiative to use biodiesel, and would be thrilled to see more NASCAR teams follow suit,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. “NASCAR’s popularity as a spectator sport presents a great opportunity to raise public awareness on biodiesel, and I’m proud that Iowa biodiesel is helping to kick off this team’s racing series.”

Biodiesel, NASCAR, Racing

Ethanol Safety Seminar Comes to Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is partnering with the Canadian National Railway and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) to host two Ethanol Safety Seminars. The first will be held on July 30, 2012 in Sioux City, Iowa and the second on August 1, 2o12 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The seminars are FREE to attend and open to the public

Participants will learn about proper training techniques needed by hazmat personnel and first responders to effectively respond to an ethanol related emergency. All attendees, upon completion of the course, will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Each seminar will be offered from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm CDT and 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm CDT on the respective dates. Lunch and dinner will be provided by Siouxland Ethanol based in Sioux City and Little Sioux Corn Processors in Fort Dodge.  Click here to register.  If you are not a registered member, click the “REGISTER” button for further instructions.

Ethanol, RFA