Vocal Trash Sings About Being Green

Joanna Schroeder

Here is a fun story for a Friday. A group called Vocal Trash entertains consumers across the country with a musical mix of pop, rock and swing used to educate listeners about being green. The group’s song reflect earth-friendly values like recycling and upcycling. As if this is cool enough, the group also “recycles” their instruments used in their performances.

“If you want a high energy show, with standing room only crowds, Vocal Trash is the way to go,” said Danny Aguilar of the Delaware State Fair. “They have been a huge entertainment hit for our patrons and they demand Vocal Trash return each year.”

Fans have raved about the singing, industrial style drumming and comedy all interwoven into their live performances. While people dance and sing along with the group, they are also learning about their impact on the environment and offering simple solutions and ways to improve their environmental footprint.

Kelsey Rae, a member of Vocal Trash said of their style, “We’re like a fusion of the Black-Eyed Peas and Al Gore. We’re simply presenting a positive message in an effective way. Music and dance is universal… there’s no better way to reach the masses. THINK… before you throw it away.”

Education, Environment, Video

FuelCell Energy Calls for Support of Infrastructure

Joanna Schroeder

FuelCell Energy is calling for support of a bill that would improve the infrastructure for fuel cells and hydrogen. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure for America Act was introduced by U.S. Congressman John B. Larson and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. The goal of the legislation is to accelerate the adoption of stationary fuel cell power and generation and hydrogen energy infrastructure. In addition, the bill would also help support domestic manufacturing of the fuel cell industry.

Earlier this week, Congressman Larson and Senator Blumenthal along with U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy visited the Torrington, Connecticut production facility of FuelCell Energy where the legislation was announced.

“The kind of work being done here at FuelCell Energy to provide highly efficient on-site power generation is exactly the kind of work we should be seeing more of to help move us to a stronger future,” said Congressman Larson. “I look forward to continuing my work with the delegation to improve federal incentives for this sustainable, American technology. It’s good for our economy here in Connecticut and for the energy security of the Nation.”

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure for America Act creates a tiered investment tax credit (ITC) to reward highly efficient stationary fuel cell power plants utilizing a combined heat and power (CHP) configuration. There is already a tax credit in place that provides 30 percent tax credit for stationary fuel cell power plants operating with at least a 30 percent efficiency. The new piece of legislation would increase the tax credit to 40 percent for fuel cell power plants achieving at least 60 percent efficiency. It also increases the tax credit even higher to 50 percent for fuel cell power plants achieving at least 70 percent efficiency.

“Fuel cell technology and energy can create jobs and enhance our state economy as well as free America from dependence on foreign oil — a huge win-win for everyone,” Senator Blumenthal added. “I am proud to introduce this bill modeled on Congressman Larson’s measure, which promises major benefits to Connecticut companies, helping to make our state the fuel cell capital of the world.”

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Hydrogen, Legislation

France Walks the Walk for Reduction of Fossil Energy

Joanna Schroeder

It appears that France is walking the walk with its call for a reduction of use of fossil fuels. The country uses more nuclear energy than any other; yet, have publicly stated they will phase out its use of thermal power. According to a new report, from GlobalData, “Thermal Power in France, Market Outlook to 2020, 2012 Update – Capacity, Generation, Regulations, Power Plants, Companies,” France is one of the few European countries will is capable of achieving a reduction of fossil use by the end of the decade.

The largest share of the French power market is occupied by the nuclear industry, which at 63,130 MW will account for almost half of the country’s 2012 total installed capacity. While nuclear power will still increase by the end of the decade, it will be only marginally, with installed capacity expected to reach 67,530 MW by 2020.

The country is forecasted to drop from 27,720 Megawatts (MW) in 2012 to 23,783 MW in 2020, declining at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. At the same time, other major European nations such as Germany, Italy and the UK are expected to increase thermal installed capacity during this period.

As a result of France’s reduction of use of thermal power, they are increasing their use of renewable energy. Today, the county generates 130,231 MW in today and is estimated to increase to 156,639 MW in 2020. The government is factoring in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy efficiency in all decisions and is planning on installing a five million solar thermal units by 2020 with 80 percent of the solar arrays installed on homes.

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Nuclear Energy, Research, Solar

Corn Growers Ask for Extra Time for RFS Comments

John Davis

Just as the EPA started its 30-day comment period on a waiver request for the Renewable Fuel Standard, the National Corn Growers Association is asking for more time for comments. NCGA President Garry Niemeyer sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson requesting an additional 30-day extension, citing harvest and the uncertainty of this year’s corn crop:

“Across the nation our members are beginning harvest, one of the busiest times of the year,” Niemeyer wrote. “Given the demands of harvest, I am concerned that the proposed 30-day comment period will not provide sufficient time for a thorough analysis of the proposed waiver and would hinder farmer participation in this important policy process. Also, with the crop still in the field, it is too early to determine this year’s final corn supply.”

As it stands now, the comment period closes at the end of September. Then, the EPA has two more months to make its decision. Four years ago, Texas Gov. Rick Perry requested a partial waiver of the RFS, which was denied by the EPA. That request generated 15,000 comments.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, RFS

EPA: 100 Million Gallons of Biodiesel Produced in July

John Davis

The latest numbers from the EPA show that biodiesel makers produced 100 million gallons of the green fuel during July, down a bit from June’s numbers of 112 million gallons but still possibly on pace to surpass last year’s record production. Year-to-date production figures show just under 658 million gallons of biodiesel through the end of the month. Last year, the biodiesel industry set a new production record of nearly 1.1 billion gallons.

The National Biodiesel Board says that the EPA numbers show a total of 108 million gallons of Biomass-based Diesel for the month of July, but that figure also includes renewable diesel production. NBB also points that the biodiesel industry supports more than 39,000 jobs across the country, and with its increasingly diverse mix of feedstocks, biodiesel is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel that’s produced on a commercial scale across the U.S.

Biodiesel, NBB

Former Ag Secretary Would Say No to RFS Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

A former Secretary of Agriculture says he would advise against waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Clayton Yeutter, who served as agriculture secretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991, says he believes the markets will resolve the current situation. “Markets work,” he said during an appearance at the 2012 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. “We’re seeing adjustments taking place in ethanol, in the livestock and poultry industries, we’re going to see adjustments in the price levels of grains moving forward. There’s going to be a rationing process and a rationalization process.”

Yeutter notes that it is the EPA’s decision to make, but if he were advising the administration in the matter, “my advice would be do not grant the waiver.”

Listen to or download Dr. Yeutter’s comments about the RFS here: Clayton Yeutter comments on RFS waiver request

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Offshore Wind Project Hub Installation Scheduled

Joanna Schroeder

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site has sailed some rough waters but now appears to be back on course with smooth sailing ahead. SeaRoc, who was recently awarded a contract for the project, has announced it will charter MPI Adventure to aid in the installation of Narec’s Offshore Anemometry Hub (NOAH). MPI Adventure is a dedicated vessel to transport, lift and install wind turbines and their foundations. Construction is scheduled to take begin this October.

“MPI Adventure is a state of the art vessel coming into this project off the back of a very successful installation campaign at London Array. We consequently feel the NOAH installation is in very safe hands,” said SeaRoc Operations Director Toby Mead.

NOAH will be constructed three nautical miles off the coast of Blyth and consist of a 635t tripod foundation, 100t platform and 25t meteorological mast. Once complete, NOAH will provide site wind speed measurements along side SeaRoc sister company Zephir Ltd’s already installed ZephIR 300 wind lidar. It will also provide needed data for the team constructing and operating the offshore wind energy farm.

“We very much look forward to working with SeaRoc on this challenging project which utilises Adventure to her full potential. She is one of very few vessels on the market capable of installing the 635t tripod in the water depths concerned and will as such be a great asset to the project,” added MPI Offshore Project Manager David Robinson.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

DOE Announces More Solar Grants

Joanna Schroeder

Yesterday I brought you the story that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $10 million grant to develop concentrating solar power (CSP). As a follow-up, the DOE has announcement five more awards as part of its solar power innovation program SunShot Initiative that also supports research projects focused on lowering the cost of photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies.

The teams who received the award will collaboratively work together and work jointly with industry experts, universities and national laboratories to work together at the Department’s Scientific User Facilities, a national network of unique facilities that
provide over 10,000 scientists and engineers each year with open access to some of the best instruments and tools in the world, including x-ray sources, accelerators, supercomputers and nanoscale research centers.

“The past decade has seen explosive growth in the global solar energy market. American companies are helping to lead this dramatic progress – driving lower costs and introducing new, better performing technologies into the marketplace. These collaborative projects announced today harness the immense capabilities of our Scientific User Facilities to invent and deploy new technologies that will strengthen American manufacturing and technical competitiveness,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chu. “As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, advanced solar energy technologies are helping to provide clean, renewable electricity for homes and businesses across the country while diversifying the United States’ energy economy.”

The five research projects selected fall under two levels: establishing scientific user facility research partnerships and developing a new scientific user facility instrument. Two projects were awarded a total of $900,000 in the first level and three projects were awarded $2.6 million.

PLANT PV will partner with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Molecular Foundry to develop 3D mapping tools for higher performing thin film solar material. The University of Colorado will use tools available at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to research high-temperature inexpensive materials for concentrating solar power technologies.

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories will partner with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies in New Mexico to improve the efficiency of thin film photovoltaic materials, while Arizona State University will use x-ray technologies at Argonne National Laboratory to address solar cell material performance. In addition, Stanford University will partner with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to research inexpensive ways to print solar cells.

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

UC Davis Works to Develop Renewable Diesel Fuels

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) located at University of California, Riverside, are working to develop diesel formulations with higher levels of renewable biofuels. The research supports the goal of California to reduce emissions in fuels and lower greenhouse gases.

So far, researchers have evaluated the potential impacts of using biodiesel in diesel sold in the state. A common biodiesel blend is B20 (20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel) and many believe that higher blends can be successfully used. Research has shown that biodiesel lowers carbon dioxide emissions because it is produced from renewable sources.

Biodiesel use and production is on the upward swing in the U.S. and over the past decade has jumped from 2 million gallons produced annually in 2002 to 1.1 billion gallons produced in 2011 according the National Biodiesel Board.

Although biodiesel provides benefits in a number of emissions components, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, one issue with biodiesel is its potential to increase nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, a key contributor to smog. Therefore, researchers are studying this closely to develop diesel formulations that would use biodiesel at higher levels, such as B20, while reducing or eliminating any NOx emissions.

“The results show that research is still needed to find optimal biofuel blends that achieve maximum environmental benefits in all aspects,” said Thomas D. Durbin, a research engineer at CE-CERT and the lead author of the recent journal article in Environmental Science and Technology where the findings were outlined.

California is looking to increase the use of B5 blends but is looking for more research before adopting widespread use of higher biodiesel blends.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Research

PV Training Yard to be Unveiled

Joanna Schroeder

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Green Academy is unveiling Utah’s only Solar Photovoltaic (PV) training yard on September 6, 2012. The launch will highlight the Solar PV training yard and classroom space, and will feature student and faculty-led abbreviated labs and solar panel demonstrations.

“The completion of the photovoltaic training yard is an exciting addition to sustainable green energy practice and workforce development in Utah. It’s been great to be a part of this project—it demonstrates the College’s commitment to help prepare Utah’s workforce for renewable energy technologies and conservation,” said SLCC Dean of the School of Professional and Economic Development Karen Gunn. “The new training yard is the first of its kind in the state and will facilitate Utah’s capacity to meet industry demands for highly skilled green energy technicians.”

The college has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a total of $2.1 million. SLCC was selected as one of only a dozen sites nationally for Deborah Buterbaugh, Energy Project Specialist for DOE to visit to see how the College has developed its innovative Solar PV training yard. She will be on hand for the unveiling celebration.

The Solar PV Training yard is a resource for industry professional and prospective technicians looking to learn about solar technologies through hands-on training. The curriculum for the courses are provided by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and is taught by certified instructors.

Education, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Video