Solar Use “Heats Up” in Colder Climates

Solar energy, specifically solar thermal water heating (SWH), is catching on in colder states like Wisconsin, Colorado and Oregon as well as countries like Canada and Germany.

“Many people assume that SWH is not an option for them because they do not live near a scorching desert or by a sun-drenched beach,” said Nigel Cotton, OEM Team Leader of the International Copper Association (ICA) and founder of Solarthermalworld.org, a web community for solar thermal professionals. “However, in a solar thermal system, the energy of the sun is used to heat water in a ‘holding tank.’ This warmed water is circulated to provide hot water throughout the system.While SWH may not be able to provide for all hot water needs in colder climates, it can provide significant savings.”

Colorado home owners are finding cost savings with SWH. According to the Colorado based Center for Resource Conservation, a solar thermal heating system for domestic hot water use can be a long-term cost saving addition for a home. They estimate that when replacing an electric system, SWH can save a household $625 annually. This kind of long-term investment in solar thermal also can pay off for business operations.

A laundromat in Toronto, Canada installed a SWH system that is saving money on energy costs. According to the Canadian Solar Industries Association, the solar thermal system is expected to pay back its investment in less than ten years if energy prices remain stable, but will achieve faster payback as energy prices rise.

“Solar thermal technology is able to capture the energy of the sun and transfer it into heat in many regions around the globe,” says Baerbel Epp, editor of the Solarthermalworld.org newsletter. “It is helpful for families and businesses to explore the different ways of using the free-of-charge energy from the sun no matter where they live.”

energy efficiency, Solar, Utilities, water

American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy Debuts in Vegas

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy made its debut over the weekend at the Las Vegas Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 with rookie driver Austin Dillon finishing strong in 7th place.

Representatives of American Ethanol partners, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Growth Energy, were in town for the March 10 race. Pictured here with RCR team owner (and Dillon’s grandfather) Richard Childress (left) are Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis next to Dillon and Illinois corn farmer Martin Barbre, chairman of NCGA’s NASCAR Advisory Committee on the right.

Barbre said with three races down in the Nationwide season, Dillon is already exceeding their expectations. “He ranks second in driver points in his rookie season and is proving to be a great spokesperson for the performance, economic and environmental benefits of Sunoco Green E15,” said Barbre. “Educating fans about the importance of NASCAR’s switch to a 15 percent blend of ethanol, from an environmental, performance and even patriotic standpoint, will reinforce the importance of the NASCAR Green message while helping the sports broad fan base become better acquainted with the benefits of the fuel produced by family farmers such as myself.”

Las Vegas was the first race this season where No. 3 Chevrolet sported the black and green colors of American Ethanol and marked Dillon’s first Nationwide Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dillon was so excited about the ethanol theme that his team even tweeted a photo of his “new @AmericanEthanol helmet.”

As the son of former driver and RCR general manager Mike Dillon and grandson of Richard Childress, American Ethanol partners felt the 21-year-old’s performance in the Vegas race highlighted his developing talent and his dedication to clean-burning, domestically produced ethanol.

“We are thrilled to be working with Austin this year to make fans aware of the amazing performance ethanol offers,” said Barbre. “Our partnership with RCR brings together two great American legacies, that of the famed racing family and that of the American family farmer.”

American Ethanol, corn, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NASCAR

Progress in Blueprint for Secure Energy Future

Cindy Zimmerman

The White House today released a one-year progress report on the “Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future,” the Administration’s all-of-the-above approach to American energy.

Among the highlights noted in the report is that the plan has resulted in a doubling of renewable energy generation from wind, solar, and geothermal sources since 2008. According to the report, “Since 2009, DOI has approved 29 onshore renewable energy projects—about 6,600 megawatts—including: 16 solar projects, 5 wind farms, and 8 geothermal facilities. These projects include the first solar projects ever permitted on public lands.”

In the area of developing advanced alternative fuels, the report notes that in 2010, “President Obama set a goal of breaking ground on at least four commercial scale cellulosic or advanced biorefineries by 2013. That goal has been accomplished, one year ahead of schedule. Together, these projects, and associated demonstration and pilot projectswill produce a combined total of nearly 100 million gallons per year of advanced biofuels capacity.”

In addition, EPA’s continued implementation of the National Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) has supported a growing domestic renewable fuels industry. Last year, industry reported production of approximately 14 billion gallons of renewable fuels, about 8% of total U.S. highway vehicle fuel. In fact, U.S. biofuel production is at its highest level, as average monthly production increased more than 40 percent between 2008 and 2011. EPA worked with stakeholders in evaluating new fuel technologies and feedstocks to support expanded opportunity for these fuels to be an important part of the domestic transportation fuel market. To help support deployment of advanced fuel infrastructure, in 2011, the Department of Agriculture provided over $4 million in grants to fund 265 flex fuel dispensers in 30 states.

The report also made note of progress in the development of aviation biofuels, more alternative fueled vehicles in the federal fleet and the launch of the National Clean Fleets Partnership, an initiative to help large, private sector companies improve the efficiency of their fleets and reduce the country’s dependence on oil.

Read the report here.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Fleet, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Geothermal, Government, Solar, Wind

Hog Producers Can Compete with Ethanol for Corn

Cindy Zimmerman

An agricultural economist says hog producers are now able to compete with ethanol producers for corn.

“This is an amazing difference from just five years ago,” said Purdue agricultural economist Dr. Chris Hurt. “The hog industry was largely set up with $2-2.50 corn going into 2006. After that we saw major increases in those corn prices.” Dr. Hurt spoke to swine veterinarians on the topic of “Global Feed Economics in a Biofuel World” during seminar in Denver on Friday.

Hog producers initially absorbed those higher costs by reducing margins, which meant big losses and ultimately resulted in reduced supplies. “You reduce the supply enough, you bring those hog prices up. That’s where we are today. Hog producers can pay $6-7 for corn with the prices they’re getting for hogs,” he said. “That up to $7 is higher than ethanol plants can pay for corn and still cover all their costs.”

Dr. Hurt is certain that the days of $2 corn are over, but he does expect prices to moderate around $5-5.50 a bushel. While he does believe that livestock producers have adjusted over the past five years to living in a “biofuel world,” he’s hesitant to say there is “equilibrium” between ethanol and livestock production. “Obviously, equilibrium is the ‘golden state’ where everybody is covering their costs but often times we’re in dis-equilibrium,” he said. “I think as we look back on this era, we’re going to say that ultimately the renewable fuels program was a very, very aggressive program. Had corn farmers had ten years to build that up, it would have caused a lot less trauma for other sectors, like our livestock sector.”

Listen to an interview with Dr. Hurt here: Dr. Chris Hurt

Ethanol, Ethanol News, livestock

Project LIBERTY Groundbreaking Tuesday

Cindy Zimmerman

POET–DSM Advanced Biofuels will be celebrating the start of construction Tuesday on Project LIBERTY, the planned commercial-scale ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

The joint venture between Dutch life sciences firm Royal DSM and ethanol giant POET announced the groundbreaking when the partnership was made public in January. “The joint venture anticipates that we’ll complete construction of Project LIBERTY and start producing cellulosic ethanol in the second half of 2013,” said POET CEO Jeff Broin. “Together, we’ll produce a home-grown, renewable fuel that can create jobs, clean our environment and make us less reliant on foreign oil. This partnership has the potential to change the world.”

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and representatives from POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels will take part in the formal groundbreaking for the plant starting at 10:30 Tuesday morning in Emmetsburg.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, POET

Ethanol Industry Pioneer Wants Higher Blends

Cindy Zimmerman

The president of one of the world’s largest ethanol plant engineering and construction firms is pleased with the progress made by the industry in the last 30 years, but frustrated by the barriers to higher ethanol blends.

At the recent National Ethanol Conference, where ICM, Inc. founder Dave Vander Griend was honored with the Renewable Fuels Association 2012 Membership Award, he talked about how ethanol could replace some of the additives currently found in gasoline – called aromatics – which are used to help boost octane in gas. “We’re looking just to go from 10% ethanol to 15% ethanol with a clean, non-toxic product,” he explained. “The petroleum industry can go from 10 to 40% aromatic additions to their gasoline anytime they choose.”

He noted that Henry Ford’s Model T engine was originally designed to run on either gasoline or ethanol. “Actually, the first FFV was a Model T,” said Vander Griend. “That wasn’t something that set well with Rockefeller – he wanted everything to be gasoline, but at that time there was no octane additive to put into the gas so it wasn’t very good and cars would ping and knock. Taking that fuel they made then, if they would have added 20-30% ethanol, both parties would have won.” Instead, they got rid of ethanol through prohibition and used lead to increase octane. The creation of the EPA got the lead out of gasoline, which led to MTBE being used as a replacement until that was determined to be carcinogenic.

Vander Griend believes that ethanol could reduce tailpipe emissions by up to 50% with just a 30% blend. “Ethanol can replace aromatics on a 1-to-1 (basis) and actually give them more octane than they had from the aromatics,” he said.

Listen to interview with Dave Vander Griend here: Dave Vander Griend Interview

2012 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Support for Stabenow Transportation Bill Amendment

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels organizations are strongly urging lawmakers to approve an amendment to the Transportation Bill (S.1813) offered by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that would extend tax incentives for biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol.

“We applaud Sen. Stabenow for introducing this amendment and we urge all senators to support it,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. “This is about creating good-paying jobs and building up a U.S. energy industry that will help end our dangerous vulnerability to the kinds of oil price spikes we’re seeing now.” The $1 per gallon biodiesel tax incentive expired at the end of 2011.

Advanced Ethanol Council Executive Director Brooke Coleman wrote a letter last week to Senate leadership urging support for the amendment that would extend the Cellulosic Biofuels Producer Tax Credit (PTC) and the Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic Biofuel Plant Property through 2013. “Several billion dollars have been invested in the development of advanced biofuels with the expectation that Congress will stay the course with regard to its commitment to the industry,” Coleman wrote. “The PTC and accelerated depreciation allowance provide investment certainty in a high‐risk marketplace largely supply‐ and price‐controlled by OPEC.”

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the American Soybean Association are other organizations that are urging Senators to pass the amendment. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has also proposed an amendment that includes extension of the biodiesel tax credit along with other energy related provisions. Work on the Transportation Bill is scheduled to continue in the Senate on Tuesday. Сайт знакомств

advanced biofuels, AEC, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, Soybeans

Smith Electric Produces All-Electric Step Van for FedEx

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. has unveiled the Newton Step Van, an all-electric, zero-emission vehicle. FedEx Express will be the first company to use the vans in the United States, starting in select markets this year.

This van, an ideal solution for thousands of delivery routes in urban environments, offers a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds and a range of approximately 100 miles on a single charge. The vehicle incorporates Smith’s proprietary Smith Drive, Smith Power, and Smith Link technologies to provide superior power train performance, battery management efficiency and remote system monitoring.

“The leadership shown by FedEx in adopting all-electric vehicles has been instrumental to growing the industry,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO and chairman of Smith. “We welcome FedEx and look forward to successful vehicle deployments that demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of fleet electrification.”

“This opportunity helps support our goal to optimize and operate our vehicle fleet in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner,” said Dennis Beal, vice president of Global Vehicles at FedEx Express. “Smith’s global footprint and track record of successful EV deployments make it an ideal collaborator as FedEx continues to improve its fleet efficiency, reducing emissions while providing the best possible service to our customers around the world.”

Electric Vehicles

Growth Energy Welcomes New Board Members

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy welcomed two new board members this week during the ethanol organization’s 2012 Executive Leadership Conference in Las Vegas.

Growth EnergyAbe Hughes, Vice President North America of New Holland Agriculture, and Bob Casper, President of Ethanol Products, LLC, a subsidiary of POET Ethanol Products, both agreed to join the organization’s Board of Directors.

“As one of the largest manufacturers of agriculture equipment in the world, New Holland Agriculture is a perfect fit for Growth Energy,” said Hughes. “Through our partnership with Growth Energy, we can make the ethanol industry even more efficient and profitable for both farmers and ethanol producers. New Holland fully supports the ethanol industry and its positive impact on the agriculture industry. Ethanol is good for the rural economy and for farmers.”

“The ethanol industry is focused on bringing E15 to the marketplace, giving consumers a choice at the pump and scaling the blend wall. As a member of Growth Energy’s board, I will focus on the next steps for E15 and higher ethanol blends in the future,” said Bob Casper. “Together, we can give Americans access to this clean, renewable fuel that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower harmful emissions.”

“Bob and Abe both bring a unique perspective to the Growth Energy board, and we look forward to working with them moving forward,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “They are both passionate advocates for agriculture and ethanol and we are delighted to work with them to create a coalition to bring higher ethanol blends and greater ethanol infrastructure to American consumers.”

Ethanol, Growth Energy, New Holland

Butamax Granted Patent for Iso-Butanol

butamax Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC, has been granted patent number 8,129,162 for production of iso-butanol from biological resources.

This latest patent was issued from a series of applications covering modified KARI enzymes that optimize production of biobutanol by Butamax’s proprietary microorganisms. These microorganisms are engineered with the isobutanol biosynthetic pathway invented by Butamax that includes five enzymatic steps that convert sugar to isobutanol. The KARI enzyme performs the second step of the pathway which is fundamental to achieving high biobutanol yield. This latest invention is essential to best cost of manufacture position.

Since 2003, the Butamax team has pioneered new technology innovations in order to offer the most cost-effective production of biobutanol for the transportation fuels market. The company will continue its commitment to innovation in the areas of biocatalyst, engineering design and end-use applications to deliver maximum value to licensees.

“With these new KARI enzymes, we have achieved a significant improvement in performance, which is necessary for low-cost commercial production of biobutanol,” said Paul Beckwith, Butamax CEO. “We are pleased that our research team continues to be recognized for their innovation in biobutanol technology. Their work has led to the only cost-effective retrofit option that enables existing ethanol manufacturers to produce drop-in biofuels.”

biobutanol, biofuels, Company Announcement, isobutanol