Largest U.S. Grocer Explores Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Kroger, the largest U.S. traditional grocer, is exploring solar energy and the first of its projects have been completed. Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, a division of Kroger, has completed the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on two of its locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Total combined output is estimated at 320,000 kWh. Each solar system is comprised of 442 panels.

“We have done a lot of work over the last several years to integrate sustainable practices into our everyday business operations,” said Rodney McMullen, president and chief operating officer of Kroger. “Today, we are proud to unveil Kroger’s first operational solar energy project. Smith’s has done a tremendous job bringing this to realization. Kroger will continue reducing energy consumption and testing technologies that support future use of alternative energy sources.”

The Smith’s stores were selected due to the sunny climate and economic incentives offered by energy provider PNM. Affordable Solar, based in Albuquerque, designed and installed the panels. Kroger is also developing photovoltaic systems in stores located in Wilsonville, Oregon (Fred Meyer) and Cincinnati, Ohio (Kroger).

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Elusieve Process Removes Fiber From Corn

Joanna Schroeder

A new way to remove fiber from corn has been discovered by a professor from Mississippi State University (MSU). He calls his process Elusieve and has filed for a patent. The process was invented by Dr. Radhakrishnan Srinivasan of the MSU Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering with some help from University of Illinois professor Dr. Vijay Singh who believe the process will improve both ethanol production efficiency as well as dried distillers grains (DDGS).

“Corn has mainly starch, fiber and protein. We are removing the fiber, so the starch is increased in concentration. Therefore, you can produce more ethanol,” Srinivasan said in an interview with Mississippi Business Journal.

Srinivasan explains that pigs and chickens cannot digest fiber well. By removing the fiber from its feed, which consists primarily of DDGS, ground corn flour and soybean meal, the energy content of the feed is improved and reduces the need for expensive ingredients such as fat and enzymes. He believes the Elusieve process will be adopted by feed mills to separate fiber downstream of the bins where the feed is stored.

Today, there is one pilot plant using the Elusieve technology at MSU and its using a combination of sieving and air classification, called elutriation, to separate out the fiber. From there, the feed is sieved into four sizes and air is blown through the three biggest to carry away the fiber. Ultimately this process increases protein of feeds like DDGS and also increases starch content.

Other researchers are working on technologies to remove fiber from corn but Srinivasan said his is less expensive and less complicated. His has already received the patent for DDGS via Elusieve.

biofuels, corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Research

E85 Station Opens in Corpus Christi, Texas

Joanna Schroeder

A new E85 station has opened at the Stripes Convenience Store in Corpus Christi, Texas and is now the only E85 station within 100 miles. The pump is located at its location on Weber Road, south of Saratoga Blvd. The company also offers E85 at its station in Lubbock, Texas. Only flexible fuel vehicles can fill up with E85.

“Stripes takes pride in leading the way by bringing a new alternative fuel option like E85 to our customers looking for a cleaner burning gas for their flex fuel vehicles,” said Steve DeSutter, President & CEO of Stripes LLC. “This is something new for us but with the number of flex fuel vehicles growing, and as cities like Corpus Christi push to find ways to improve air quality and make renewable resources a focus, Stripes will offer E85 fuel at more locations if we find that consumers demand that option.”

Stripes says according to E85refueling.com there are around 50 E85 stations in Texas and more than 2,600 across the U.S. They become the first retailer in the area to offer E85 as part of their commitment to supporting environmental initiatives and reducing air pollution in the community.

E85, Ethanol

Private Investments for Alt Energy At Four-Year Low

Joanna Schroeder

According to new research from Lux Research, investments in the alternative fuels sector have reached a four-year low of $930 million for alternative fuel start-ups in 2010. However, 2010 was also a record-breaking year for investments to companies with flexible technologies that can use a variety of feedstocks to produce a variety of products at $698 million. Lux says that if this trend continues, then start-ups with less flexible technologies will be forced out of the industry.

“Hedging Bets with Flexibility in Alternative Fuels,” has shown that since 2004 more than $6.4 billion in investments have been made in the alternative energy industry but in recent years, investors are giving more to less. The winners follow one simple principle: flexibility in feedstock or end product. Lux Research analyzed 333 investments in 170 unique start‐ups since 2004, breaking down investments by technology, fuel, geography, and investment stage.

“The recent successful IPOs of Amyris, Solazyme, and Gevo all reflect the larger industry trend of investing in more flexible end‐product technologies,” said Andrew Soare, a Lux Analyst and lead author of the report. “A handful of fuels‐focused start‐ups continue to draw investors, including waste‐to‐fuels companies Enerkem and LanzaTech, and cellulosic ethanol companies Qteros and Mascoma. But flexibility is part of their DNA as well, in that they derive fuels from multiple feedstocks.”

Several key conclusions include:

• Synthetic biology’s inherent flexibility is a wise investment, but not the only one. Synthetic biology has attracted the most funding since 2004: $1.84 billion or 28.4% of the total. But investors shouldn’t ignore other flexible technologies.

• Investments will favor fewer companies in later stage funding. Most alternative fuel technologies today are past the point of initial seed funding, and are seeking capital to scale up manufacturing. Those closest to scale will continue to raise large Series C and Series D rounds, while less advanced companies will struggle to land moderate earlier rounds, resulting in more failed start‐ups over the next few years.

• Expect new corporate investors to enter the space. Expect forward‐looking corporations to bring additional industries into the fray, such as pulp and paper, food and beverage, and non‐obvious downstream brand owners such as UPS.

advanced biofuels, biochemicals, biofuels, feedstocks, Research

Biodiesel Speed Record Set

Joanna Schroeder

Several races have been taking place in Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and last week Hajek Motorsports broke two land-speed records for biodiesel and diesel trucks. The team competed with a Ford F250 Super Duty truck and set the first record on August 16 using biodiesel made from soybeans. The team, owned by Brent Hajek, also broke the diesel speed record and both were achieved using the new 6.7 Power Stroke V8.

Using regular diesel, the team reached the top speed of 171.123 mph and 182 mph on a B20 biodiesel blend. The regular diesel record was achieved on athe first attempt and solidified in the second run. Then the team drained the diesel and switched to biodiesel. The biodiesel land speed record was broken at 130.64 mph.

Hajek is a soybean farmer from Ames, Oklahoma and owns the Hajek Motorsports Museum in Ames where the record-breaking pickup will be on display.

“There are a lot of soybean farmers in this area trying to promote soy products and keep some of the diesel money in Oklahoma, where they are grown,” said Hajek in an interview with Enid News and Eagle.

Hajek is a biofuels enthusiast – two years ago he set a land speed record with Mustang using E85 and reaching 254 mph. His next goal is to reach speeds of more than 200 mph using biodiesel.

Biodiesel, E85, Racing

Free Event Launched: Solar Exchange East

Joanna Schroeder

On September 21, 2011, Siemens Industry and North Carolina Solar Center will host Solar Exchange East, a free conference for manufacturers and developers of solar power. The event will be held on the North Carolina State University’s campus in Raleigh and will include topics such as the future of solar energy policy, economic development in the South East, trends in smart grid, utility and utility-scale solar projects in the region, the military’s use of solar energy, and more.

Panelists include speakers from the N.C. Solar Center’s Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) program, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, FREEDM Center, TUV Rheinland, Henkels and McCoy, Semprius, TechnoSunSolar, Siemens, UL, Inc., FLS Energy, Actus Lend Lease, U.S. Navy Facilities Engineering Command, Sabot 6, and more.

“We’re excited to partner with the North Carolina Solar Center, and look forward to a productive day of discussion about the solar industry with information specifically designed for individuals in this part of the country,” said Richard Myers, senior director of solar vertical markets for Siemens.

This is the third Solar Exchange event. Past conferences were held in conjunction with the University of California, Los Angeles and Arizona State University. A full agenda will be available in late August. More information and registration can be found at here.

conferences, Electricity, Energy, Solar

350Green Orders 900 EV Chargers

Joanna Schroeder

350Green has placed an order for 900 Plug-In Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 3 QC50 DC Fast Chargers with Efacec USA to meet growing demand for EV charging stations across the country. This is the largest order 350Green has placed to date, and the units will be manufactured in Norcross, Georgia, signalling the first time the fast chargers will be built in the U.S.

The first 145 units will be delivered by December 31 2011 with the remaining 755 to be delivered by the end of 2014. The EV charging stations will be installed in cities across the country as part of 350Green’s nationwide rollout. The company currently has 1,200 public chargers in 18 cities.

The EV Chargers can be used to charge several EV models currently on the market, is CHAdeMO compliant, and produces high power output while still maintaining top power factor, THD and efficiency ratings. The system can charge EV’s up to 80 percent within 30 minutes depending on the EV model.

Electric Vehicles, Electricity

Biofuels Truth Express

Joanna Schroeder

I finally made it to the Iowa State Fair last weekend and while I was walking around getting my eat on I spotted this biofuels truck. It was the “Biofuels Truth Express,” and was parked along the road across from the main grand stand, where I was headed to go hear the Maroon Five and Train concert (and yes they both rocked!).

As I took a few photos several people stopped to take a quick look. Ironically, though, I never spotted any website or name of an organization who owned the truck. I’m sure if I spent more time checking out the fair I would have solved my little mystery, but alas I still haven’t. So I’m asking our readers – can you tell us more about this truck and the campaign?

I’m always excited to see biofuels promoted in a positive way so regardless of not having all the pertinent info for a story, I still wanted to take the opportunity to showcase some homegrown fuels – ethanol and biodiesel.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

Biofuel Offering to Expand in Western U.S.

Joanna Schroeder

The network of biofuels stations in the west will be expanding with a new partnership between Propel Fuels and Pacific Convenience and Fuels (PC&F). The program will co-locate Propel “Clean Fuel Points” with PC&F gas stations and convenience stores throughout the west. So far, 80 potential locations for the program have been identified in California, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. The plan is to offer consumers more access to renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel and enable both companies to accelerate expansion plans.

“This first of its kind agreement allows us to quickly scale our business, opening the door to renewable fuel access across the Western U.S., America’s most underserved market for renewable fuels,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel. “And with U.S. automakers significantly increasing production of Flex Fuel and diesel vehicles, we will give customers true choice at the pump, making progress towards reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and lowering carbon emissions.”

Clean Fuel Points are self-serve filling stations that dispense ethanol and/or biodiesel. They are located at existing gas stations (such as PC&F stations) but Propel still owns and operates the equipment and provides programs to drive sales and educate consumers about alternative fuels.

Chris Wilson, general manager of PC&F added, “Pacific Convenience and Fuels is redefining the customer experience at convenience stores. Providing access to renewable fuels aligns with this mission while satisfying the growing demand for these products. We are pleased to partner with Propel, the leader in alternative fuels, to bring this option to our customers.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

Biofuels USA Opens on I-70 in Missouri

Cindy Zimmerman

biofuels usaThe red, white and blue God Bless America Biofuels USA banner has been waving at motorists on I-70 in Missouri for several weeks now. On Friday, the new biodiesel station at exit 175 in New Florence held its official grand opening, offering a variety of home grown choices for diesel vehicle drivers.

“We have ten pumps, three different flavors of biodiesel – B5, B20 and B99,” station owner Frank Imo told me when I stopped by on Friday afternoon on my way to St. Louis airport. “All of our fuel is 100% American, we have no foreign oil here. We make our biodiesel out of soybean oil, which helps the farmers and helps America – that’s what we’re trying to do.”

biofuels usaImo is part of the Missouri-based family pizza chain Imo’s Pizza, which recycles most of its waste vegetable oil into biodiesel at the High Hill Biofuels, LLC plant in High Hill, Mo.

Working with Imo to promote Biofuels USA at the grand opening was St. Louis Clean Cities Executive Director Kevin Herdler. “Our whole mission is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and we do that with the American-made fuels – natural gas, propane, biodiesel, ethanol, electric, hydrogen,” he said. “All these fuels are good for the environment and they create jobs.”

Biofuels USA plans on adding E-85 (85 percent ethanol) next spring. Find out more about Biofuels USA on their website biofuelsusa.info.

Listen to my interview with Frank Imo and Kevin Herdler here: Biofuels USA

Audio, Biodiesel