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Electric Vehicle Standardization Needed

Joanna Schroeder

A Standardization Roadmap for Electric Vehicles – Version 1.0 has been released by the Electric Vehicles Standards Panel (EVSP), part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The roadmap reviews standards, codes, regulations, conformance and training programs – elements critical to the facilitation of safe, mass deployment of electric vehicles (EV) and charging infrastructure.

“The roadmap delivers on its promise to pave a smoother road to the large-scale rollout of electric vehicle technology. And from the economic and environmental points of view, the timing couldn’t be better,” said Jim Matthews, EVSP co-chair and director of technical standards and standards policy at Corning Incorporated. “EVs offer the potential to significantly reduce our nation’s dependence on imported oil, create well-paying jobs through the establishment of a broad, domestic EV industry, and reduce on‐road vehicular emissions.”

Standardization Roadmap focuses on plug-in electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure paramount to helping adoption. The report was developed to facilitate the development of comprehensive, and streamlined standards and conformance landscape for EVs, and maximize the coordination of the standards worldwide. Some issues reviewed included EV safety, affordability, interoperability, performance, and environmental impact. The roadmap also focused on training and education programs.

S. Joe Bhatia, President and CEO of ANSI added, “The release of the Standardization Roadmap for Electric Vehicles – Version 1.0 is a critical step forward in facilitating mass EV deployment in the U.S. This effort relied upon the collaborative work of experts from the public and private sectors and across industries, all focused on the common priority of enabling the EV market to expand and thrive.”

Electric Vehicles

Test Successful for Gasification Technology

Joanna Schroeder

Commercial demonstration testing of a new gasification technology has proven successful according to Covanta Energy Corporation. The technology gasifies unprocessed post-recycled municipal solid waste in a commercial setting while also reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.  The announcement was made during the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference and Covanta said this achievement makes way for the company to offer a 300 ton per day modular system called CLEERGAS (Covanta Low Emissions Energy Recovery Gasification).

“We are always working to stay on the cutting edge of technology to convert waste into clean energy,” said Anthony J. Orlando, Covanta’s president and chief executive officer. “This new gasification technology is truly exciting. Communities interested in emerging technologies can now partner with Covanta’s industry leading team to assure successful project execution.”

During the pilot phase, the technology processed 350 tons per day of municipal solid waste that did not need to be pretreated. The waste was subjected to high temperatures and reduced air on the gasification platform, where it underwent a chemical reaction that created synthesis gas or syngas. Next, the syngas was combusted and then processed through an energy recovery system that utilizes an emissions control system.

John Klett, the company’s executive vice president and CTO added, “Successfully completing this commercial demonstration was a major step in developing new facilities capable of gasifying unprocessed post-recycled municipal waste. Moving forward, our research and development efforts will continue to improve the syngas quality created in the gasification process.  One day, we anticipate this syngas will be utilized as a fuel in a combined cycle facility and potentially, in the production of liquid fuel.”

biogas, Waste-to-Energy

Virdia Opens New Pilot Facility

Joanna Schroeder

A new cellulosic demonstration facility has opened in Danville, Virginia. Virdia, a company focused on developing cellulosic sugars,  located the facility on the campus for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). The facility will prove out Virdia’s CASE process in pilot scale and the resulting  cellulosic sugars and lignin will be designed for use in commercial applications.

Philippe Lavielle, Virdia CEO said, “Siting our technology center and our demonstration facility in Virginia is the next key step towards commercial production for us. Virdia’s products are cost-competitive, and are setting new standards for industrial uses of cellulosic sugars and lignin.”

Lavielle also said that the company looks forward to demonstrating the technology on a larger scale, and when they are ready, plan on locating the larger facility near sustainable sources of biomass.  The CASE process converts biomass to fermentable sugars and lignin. The resulting sugars can be used to produce renewable chemicals, materials, nutritional additives for the feed industry and renewable fuels. The company is currently working with Virent who is using the sugars to produce drop-in jet fuels.

The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 25th.  “Virdia is making huge strides in the emerging bioeconomy, and I am pleased the company has decided to site its new technology center in Virginia,” said Bob McDonnell, the Governor of Virginia. “The development of sustainable and clean sources of energy is a necessary component of our all the above energy strategy, and Virginia is proud to welcome Virdia to the state in pursuance of cleaner energy, scientific innovation and economic stimulus.”

biochemicals, bioenergy, biofuels, biomaterials

Bob Casper Named Chief Commercial Officer of POET

Bob Casper, President of POET Ethanol Products, was named Chief Commercial Officer of POET. In this newly created position, Casper will oversee the marketing and distribution of all products as well as risk management for POET.

Since 2000, Casper has led POET Ethanol Products, which markets all of the ethanol and carbon dioxide for POET’s network of 27 biorefineries. Before serving as president of POET Ethanol Products, Casper spent 21 years leading several energy-related divisions for Wichita, Kan.-based Koch Industries. Casper serves on the Board of Directors of POET, LLC and Growth Energy, the advocacy group representing producers and supporters of ethanol. He graduated from Trinity University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology.

“Under Bob’s 12 years of leadership, POET ethanol products has become one of the largest and most successful marketers of ethanol in the world,” said POET CEO Jeff Lautt. “Bob has been instrumental in building the market for ethanol to where it is now in over 90 percent of the gasoline gallons sold in the U.S. In the past few years, Bob has successfully managed numerous challenges from the blend wall and expanding export markets to the expiration of ethanol tax credits and the introduction of E15.”

In this new role, Casper will continue to lead POET Ethanol Products, which markets ethanol, carbon dioxide and denaturant. He will also oversee POET Risk Management and POET Nutrition. POET Risk Management provides commodity futures risk management, corn and natural gas derivatives trading and corn and natural gas procurement services for the network of biorefineries. POET Nutrition markets POET’s branded products: Dakota Gold® high protein animal feed, Voila American Corn Oil and Inviz™ natural zein.

“After working for over 20 years in the oil industry, I am passionate about the role that renewable products can play in our world. That’s why I got into this business and am excited about this expanded role,” Casper said. “We have excellent teams in product marketing and risk management, and I’m looking forward to working with them to develop markets for our growing portfolio of products and manage the company’s risk.”

Company Announcement, Ethanol, POET

RFA Adds Three Board Member Companies

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has added three new board member companies including Aemetis, Inc., Bushmills Ethanol Inc., and E Energy Adams, LLC.

Aemetis, Inc. operates a 55 million gallon per year facility in Keyes, CA. Bushmills Ethanol Inc. is a cooperative made up of 415 farmers that produces 65 million gallons of ethanol per year. E Energy Adams is a locally owned company consisting of nearly 800 investor owners that produces 50 million gallons annually at their dry mill facility. Contributing a combined 170 million gallons of ethanol annually to U.S., these three production refineries individually and collectively are providing jobs, stimulating the economy and helping reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We are pleased to welcome these new members to the RFA,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “The strength of our industry is the involvement of individual companies in working to expand the marketplace for ethanol through thoughtful policies and strategic market development. These new voices will bring important new perspectives to the RFA and further enhance the dynamic initiatives the association is undertaking.”

With the addition of Aemetis, Inc., Bushmills Ethanol Inc., and E Energy Adams LLC, the RFA Board of Directors consists of 50 companies. Every producing member of the RFA receives one vote on the Board of Directors. The RFA is the largest trade association for ethanol producers in the world.

Ethanol, RFA

Houston to Host National Advanced Biofuels Conference

The 2012 National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo will be held at the Hilton Americas in Houston, Texas, Nov. 27-29, 2012.

Organized by BBI International, the event brings together advanced biofuels producers, strategic petrochemical and agribusiness partners, government officials, investors and project finance professionals, technology and biomass supply-chain service companies.

The conference was successfully launched in 2011 as the International Biorefining Conference & Trade Show. In consultation with sponsors and supporting organizations, BBI changed the name of the event to highlight its critical role in helping the U.S. bioenergy and refining industries meet America’s explicit advanced biofuels quest.

The National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo will continue to focus on the scale-up, commercialization and market development of both advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals. Presentations will focus predominantly on domestic (U.S.) production, R&D, and project development. International industry issues, such as exports and imports, foreign biofuels production and policy, and feedstock issues, will be covered from a domestic viewpoint. The two-day agenda will answer critical questions facing the industry and will offer conference attendees an unparalleled opportunity to gain a broad understanding of where the U.S. advanced biofuels industry is, what challenges it faces, and where it is headed.

“RFS2 requires 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels to be blended into the U.S. transportation fuel supply by 2022,” says Joe Bryan, CEO of BBI International. “We have now aligned the conference and expo with that national mission.”

advanced biofuels, biofuels, conferences

What Are Corn Growing Plans

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Would you be willing to donate the proceeds from one acre of your farm to help your local food bank?” Apparently we have some very generous farmers out there since 61% said Yes and 39% said No. Of course they may be many areas that don’t even have a local food bank too. I don’t know. But we sure appreciate everyone who participated!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “With all of the discussion on projected corn acres this year, how many acres of corn do you expect to plant this year?” So how about it corn growers. I wonder how many will grow corn for the first time this year too. Should be interesting. Let your corn growing friends and neighbors to know we’d like to know what they plan and remember this is an anonymous poll! Use this link to share.

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

ZimmPoll

Butamax & Fagen Cement Colloboration

Joanna Schroeder

Butamax has entered into a partnership with Fagen Inc. The pair will work together to introduce commercial scale biobutanol using Butamax technology.  Fagen, an engineering company, has designed and or built more than 85 ethanol plants totaling nearly 6 billion gallons of ethanol production per year.  The goal of the two companies is to ramp up production of biobutanol.

“We are delighted to partner with Fagen on our path to commercialize biobutanol,” said Paul Beckwith, Butamax CEO. “Fagen is simply the world leader when it comes to project execution in the biofuels industry, with leading standards for safety and quality. Our shared commitment to renewable energy makes Fagen a natural partner for Butamax and our shareholders.”

Last December Butamax announced the formation of an Early Adopters Group (EAG), a group of international production companies looking to become the first to adopt Butamax biobutanal technology.  The company has several pilot projects underway to convert various feedstocks including corn and sugarcane to biobutanol.

Aaron Fagen, CEO of Fagen, added,  “Butamax offers an exciting opportunity for ethanol facilities to leverage their existing assets to produce the next generation biofuel. We look forward to working with Butamax in the deployment of their commercial strategy and their first retrofit project starting in 2013.”

biobutanol, biofuels

UNICA Announces Interim CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) today announced the appointment of an interim CEO to replace Marcos Jank, who announced his resignation on March 27th.

unicaUNICA’s Board of Directors has named the organization’s Technical Director, Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, to serve as interim CEO during the selection process, now underway, for a new chief executive.

A member of the executive team at UNICA since 1990, Rodrigues has been in the sugar-energy industry for more than 30 years and is the organization’s Technical Director since 2003. He is a former Administrative and Financial Coordinator of the Brazilian government’s National Program for the Improvement of Sugarcane, known as Planalsucar, and was also Administrative and Financial Supervisor for projects backed by Industry and Technology Secretariat at the Federal Industry, Trade and Technology Ministry. In 1983, he played a leading role in the introduction of SPCTS, the Sugarcane Payment System by Saccarosis Content, where he remained as a Consultant until 1990.

unicaMarcos Jank became Board Chairman and CEO at UNICA in July of 2007 and has since spearheaded a period of significant achievements for the sugar-energy industry.

Accomplishments include a much more intense dialogue with all levels of government; progress in various areas relating to labor, the environment, social concerns and the regulatory framework; and the establishment of a strong international presence with offices launched in Washington, D.C. and Brussels. These were crucial steps for the non-renewal at the end of 2011 of the steep tariff imposed by the United States on imported ethanol.

“It has been a great honor to serve an industry that is so important to national life and is increasingly vital for the planet, given the growing range of low carbon solutions that sugarcane offers; the sector has a very promising future and I’m sure that the work done so far will provide a solid base for the progress that we will witness in the future,” said Jank, who brought forward his departure from UNICA because of national and international commitments linked to future activities in his professional life.

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, UNICA

Florida Ag Commissioner Pleased with Energy Law

Cindy Zimmerman

adam putnamFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is pleased with the new energy bill for the state that was allowed to become law last week when Governor Rick Scott declined to either sign or veto it.

“Rooted in common sense, this bill was developed to expand energy production in Florida and create much-needed jobs for Floridians. It garnered bipartisan support from an overwhelming 156 members of the Florida Legislature,” Putnam said in a statement. “The bill offers technology-agnostic tax credits to businesses that demonstrate investment in energy production and create jobs in Florida. Any form of renewable energy is eligible; the market will determine how investments are made.”

Governor Scott was pressured by conservative interests to veto the bill because of tax breaks included for renewable energy production, but allowed the bill to become law without his signature in “deference” to Putnam’s support for the credits, at the same time warning that he would analyze the results of the tax incentives and could push for a future repeal.

Putnam’s office issued an independent economic analysis of the Energy Bill that found the law would “generate $143.5 million in new tax revenue and create more than 3,000 jobs for Floridians.”

“The combination of these incentives are projected to generate an annual average of $28.7 million in new tax revenue over the fiscal year 2012-2016 and support as many as 3,350 new jobs in all sectors of the Florida economy by 2017,” said study author John Urbanchuk, Technical Director – Environmental Economics of Cardno ENTRIX.

The bill, which will take effect July 1, includes a sales tax exemption for biofuels distribution equipment, including ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels with $1 million per fiscal tax year cap; an investment tax credit against the corporate income tax for renewable energy technologies; and a provision to permit algae as a feedstock for renewable fuels.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News