NEC 2027

Practicing What You Preach

Joanna Schroeder

Joule Energy is practicing what it preaches – when it comes to the adoption of solar energy. The company is installing a 28kW solar system on its primary office. They are not only installing alternative energy, but are also using the installation as a training tool and demonstration tool for other companies to see how a large-scale solar installation is designed and installed. The installation is featuring several different types of inverters that will demonstrate the differences in inverter model power efficiences.

“As a solar contractor, the choice to put solar on our own roof was a no-brainer,” said Ross Reilly, Principal at Joule Energy. “The cost of solar panels is at an all-time low, so businesses that have a long-term view can easily justify the investment.”

Currently, there are federal tax incentives for PV systems at 30 percent as well as accelerated depreciation formulas that help make solar power affordable to install. Solar power also saves companies (or consumers) money on electricity costs as well.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Updated Alternative Fuel Locator Maps Online

Joanna Schroeder

MapMuse has released updated interactive Alternative Fuel Locator Maps that identify where consumers can fill up with alternative fuels. The maps feature stations that sell biodiesel, E85, propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen, liquified natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electric charging stations. For accuracy, the data used to identified the alternative fueling stations was verified by the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center.

“In the green age we live in, it’d be negligent of us not to have these maps available on our site,” says Michael Pilon, owner of MapMuse. “There are more people driving alt fuel vehicles than ever before, which means there are more people looking for places to refuel.”

It is estimated there are over 800,000 alternative fuel vehicles on U.S. roads in 2009 and has risen steadily over the past few years. For these drivers, the alternative fuel maps not only gives them station locations but also directions, access restrictions, blend types, payment methods accepted, and web links. An iPhone app version is expected to be released in the next few months.

Combined, there are more than 3,000 verified stations on the list. Pilon said accuracy is extremely important to his company; he doesn’t want a consumer driving up to a station with an empty tank only to discover the station doesn’t exist.  Station owners are encouraged to submit their information for consideration.

Biodiesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), E85, Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen, Liquefied natural gas (LNG), Propane

EWEA Event to be Powered Solely by Wind

Joanna Schroeder

Last year the wind industry worked together to create the “WindMade” designation, which means “runs on 100 percent wind power”. Today, it has been announced that the upcoming EWEA 2012 Conference & Exhibition will be the first ever WindMade event. The event is Apri 16-19, 2012 in Copenhagen.

EWEA’s CEO Christian Kjaer said he is proud to be the first organiser of a WindMade event. “EWEA strives to make its events sustainable, and to promote wind energy not only through political lobbying but also by making direct use ofwind power. EWEA is convinced that WindMade will drive investment into this technology, and we encourage other organsiations and events to follow our lead in becoming WindMade.”

To be deemed WindMade the entire conference is being powered by electricity generated from wind. This includes their offices where the event was planned, the Bella Center where the event is being held and all of the social events, some of which are taking place at locations other than the conference center.

“Many conference organisers are already making efforts to ‘green’ their events, and WindMade is pleased to present them with a tool for having their commitment to renewable power certified by a credible label,” said Henrik Kuffner, WindMade’s CEO.

conferences, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Join Ag Sec. Vilsack in First Twitter Chat on Energy

Chuck Zimmerman

Tomorrow at 1:30pm EDT, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will hold the first “USDA Virtual Office Hours on Twitter.” I’d recommend using TweetChat, Twubs or an app like TweetDeck or HootSuite to follow along. It looks like these planned monthly sessions will focus on different topics. Tomorrow it’s renewable energy. You’re asked to submit your questions via Twitter to either @USDA or #askUSDA.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will sit down to answer YOUR questions on the Department’s renewable energy programs, and how USDA is helping build a secure energy future for America. He will be joined by Sarah Bittleman, USDA Senior Advisor on energy policy.

USDA Virtual Office Hours, a live question and answer series that will be held monthly, allows stakeholders to directly engage with USDA leadership and subject matter experts through Twitter. Sessions will be focused on a specific mission, issue or program, as aligned with the Department’s strategic goals and based on stakeholder interests.

In January, USDA launched www.USDA.gov/energy to serve as a one-stop shop for data and information about energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This site allows individuals to learn more about USDA’s programs and see how their community can get involved in an expanding renewable energy and bio-based economy that is creating jobs and driving economic growth across rural America. To learn more about USDA’s accomplishments in renewable energy, read the results document HERE.

Remember to tune in online by following @USDA and using #askUSDA and #energy.

biofuels, USDA

NCGA Announces Student Video Contest on Ethanol

Lights, camera, contest! The National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Ethanol Committee wants high school and college students to submit their best videos showcasing ethanol.

The contest will allow students to create a video that, in two minutes or less, showcases five facts about ethanol. Videos can be submitted starting in early May until the final deadline which will be late in the fall of 2012.

Winning videos will be posted on the NCGA YouTube site, promoted at state events, showcased at county fairs, aired during national meetings and, hopefully, will even ‘go viral’ for the general public to view. While generating ideas, potential contestants might want to consider these factors: ethanol’s environmental attributes, its renewability, how it decreases reliance on foreign oil, and the role ethanol plays in enhancing local economies.

“We are excited to launch this new project which will help connect our youth to corn-based ethanol, the fuel of the future,” said NCGA Ethanol Committee Chairman Chad Willis. “The innovative format of the submissions makes them ideal for placement on websites such as YouTube or for sharing through social mediums, including Facebook and Twitter. In marketing, they always say that it is crucial to reach your audience where they already are. In showcasing the benefits of this homegrown, sustainable fuel through new media, we are helping educate the next generation of a fuel option that can carry them forward.”

The video competition rules will be posted on the NCGA site and promoted to colleges and high schools throughout the nation by early May and again in late August/early September. All videos submitted will be the property of NCGA. For contest details, questions or to submit a competition name, please contact NCGA at keck@ncga.com.

A similar video contest was held by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). View the winning video from the IRFA competition.

Ethanol, NCGA

Soy Checkoff Spotlights Biodiesel at Tractor Pulls

Cindy Zimmerman

Soy-based biodiesel will once again be part of the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) season this year, thanks to the sponsorship of the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff.

As part of a larger strategy to promote soy biodiesel’s benefits among diesel users, the checkoff will once again co-sponsor the NTPA season of approximately 80 tractor pulls across the United States. The checkoff partners with the NTPA to increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans, many of whom work in the agricultural and trucking sectors.

“Pulling tractors perform so well on biodiesel, it’s a perfect way to show farmers biodiesel’s benefits,” says USB Communications Chair Jimmy Sneed, a soybean farmer from Hernando, Miss. “It’s important to remind farmers that using soybean oil for biodiesel is one of the components that determines the value of each bushel we grow. It makes sense for soybean farmers to use their own products and promote biodiesel.”

Under the co-sponsorship, tractors in the NTPA’s Light Pro Stock division will run on biodiesel. So these pullers will put biodiesel to the test all season long. Check the NTPA schedule for Light Pro Stock “Powered by Biodiesel” event dates and locations.

Biodiesel, Soybeans, USB

E15 in Spotlight at Indiana Ethanol Forum

Cindy Zimmerman

EPA’s approval this week of 15% ethanol blended gasoline (E15) as a registered fuel dominated the Indiana Ethanol Forum at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center Pavilion in Indianapolis yesterday.

The invitation only event featured comments from Governor Mitch Daniels, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate John Gregg, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Pence, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen, and author Robert Zubrin.

dinneen indiana ethanol forumDinneen says the approval of E15 by EPA means it’s now up to the industry to get the fuel out there for consumers. “We need to convince gasoline marketers to begin offering this fuel, and we need to let consumers know this is available to them,” he said in an interview with Brownfield Ag News reporter Meghan Grebner who covered the event and provided us with some audio and photos.

Dinneen says Indiana is one of the states that is closest to getting E15 into the marketplace. “Iowa, Illinois – Indiana’s real close – Pennsylvania and several other states are ready to go today with E15,” he says. And with ethanol at $1 or more less than gasoline, Dinneen expects E15 to be an easy sell.

Listen to Meghan Grebner’s interview with Bob Dinneen here: Brownfield Interview with Bob Dinneen

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

20 Ethanol Plants Part of E15 History

Joanna Schroeder

On Monday, Cindy announced to our DF readers that the EPA has approved the first E15 applications. This was welcome news to the biofuels industry who needs a greater use of higher blends of ethanol to break through the blend wall. Today, after a successful two days in Washington, D.C. meeting with federal policy makers about the importance of biofuels and especially the need for continued support for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) congratulated the 20 ethanol plants for their approval to blend E15. When the sequel to “The Forbidden Fuel” is released, this announcement will be a part of history.

“We are excited by the EPA’s approval,” said Ron Lamberty, Senior Vice President for ACE.  “With this green light from the EPA, consumers could soon have an American-made, lower priced alternative to higher priced fuel from foreign markets available to them at the pump. We are pleased a number of ACE member plants have received approval from EPA to sell E15 and we encourage all ethanol producers to register.”

Lamberty said that this action followed an extensive technical review that was required by law before E15 could be legally introduced into the marketplace. The federal law requires that manufactures take additional precautions to ensure that retailers and gas distributors understand and properly implement labeling rules and other E15 requirements.

Now that the announcement has been made, the work will continue to overcome final technical hurdles that will help make E15 blends available at gas stations across the country. Click here for a list of approved E15 ethanol producers.

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol

World Crude Prices Threaten Global Economy

Joanna Schroeder

World crude prices are threatening the global economy is the call from the International Energy Agency’s Chief Economist, Fatih Birol. In response, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is calling for the G20 to enact agressive biofuels policies that will reduce reliance on crude oil. Those hit hardest, says GRFA, are underdeveloped countries because at the slightest rise in oil prices, the impact on the balance of trade is devastating.

This past week, Birol warned that the global economy could be hit with another recession triggered by rising crude oil prices. Historically, high oil prices have preceded every global recession since the early 70’s. And dare we forget 2008 when the U.S. economy collapsed and many consumers have yet to feel relief from the recession.

GRFA says that world biofuels production is contributing over one million barrels of oil equivalent to global energy supplies and expects this to increase 3 percent this year without any major policy changes.

“We must do more to encourage the development of alternatives to crude oil such as ethanol and biodiesel,” said Bliss Baker, GRFA spokesperson. “The IEA has stated that by 2050, biofuels could produce 27% of the world’s transport fuels.”

The question people should be asking is will an increase in biofuels help to reduce oil prices? OPEC has publicly stated that “energy efficiency policies along with the use of biofuel will put more downward pressure on oil consumption worldwide.”

The only way to know for sure? Produce more biofuels.

biofuels, International

Biodiesel – A Year Round Biofuel

Joanna Schroeder

It may feel like summer already, but spring only arrived on March 20th. And believe it or not, some areas actually had snow this winter. Okay, so what’s my point? Biodiesel once again had success with cold temperatures around the country. Let me give you a few examples.

  • ➢ Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire was the first resort to switch to biodiesel. The resort uses more than 20,000 gallons of B20 each year and to celebrate, this past January they held a Biodiesel Day.
  • ➢ Cook-Illinois Corporation is the largest family owned and operated school bus contract on the U.S. The company has been using biodiesel in all 2,200 school buses for the past six years and use more than a million gallons of fuel a year.
  • ➢ Alex Ozark, an automotive engineer from Lancaster, CA (high desert) operates his 2003 VW TDI on biodiesel blends ranging from B99 to B20 during the winter. He treats the fuel with an additive to prevent gelling because temperatures can dip as low as 13 degrees F.
  • ➢ Bob Atchinson from Plainfield, VT uses biodiesel in his 1961 Massey Ferguson 65 4-cylinder Perkins diesel tractor. He uses B80 in the summer and B50 in the winter. In the winter he plows snow in temperatures as low as 0-10 degrees F.

Not cold enough for you?  Kent Bosch, a farmer from Montevideo, MN uses B20 all winter in three personal vehicles as well as his farm equipment. Since Minnesota can get so cold, he takes precautions for below zero temperatures including treating his outdoor bulk tank with a cold flow additive, ensuring the tank has a good filter on it, and draining off all condensation between fills.

So Ken, why do you do all this?

“Because I can, and I feel good about using my own product and doing my part (however small) to reduce dependence on foreign oil. It just seems like a healthier choice for my family.”

Biodiesel, biofuels