The Simpson’s Go Off-Grid

Joanna Schroeder

It seems like I just don’t have enough time to watch TV, unless of course I’m holed up in a hotel room as I am tonight. I just happen to be flipping channels when I stopped on a rerun of the Simpson’s, “The Squirt and the Whale.” This episode was created in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day (2010) and I’ve been so out of touch apparently, I never saw it until tonight. I have to say that while the episode was not entirely supportive of renewable energy, the Simpson’s go off the grid with their own personal wind turbine and it was pretty funny.

The move to renewable energy is spurred by a high electric bill and sends the family to the Alternative Energy Expo. As the family piles into the car, to avert thieves in their absence, they leave on all the lights, including their Christmas lights. Once they get to the expo, several things catch their eye including solar panels and biofuels where boothmates “switchgrass” and “corn ethanol” get in a fight over who is better.

But what really catches Homer’s eye is the promise of the wind turbine, which he installs in his backyard.

Lisa: Dad, you are leading the way in clean energy.

Homer: Yep. I Al Gore’d it pretty good.

Lisa: The Simpsons are off the grid and so far it’s going great.

Until…

Homer: Who turned off the wind?

Lisa: Dad, if we’re really off the grid than we won’t get power when the wind is still.

Homer: Well, I’m not crawling back to Big Electricity. From now on the Simpson’s are living intermittently.

Ok, so while the message wasn’t perfect you know when a technology has captured the minds of the general public when it shows up in pop culture. Now let’s hope that renewable energy does a better job of capturing the minds of our politicians so it can continue to “show up” in our backyards.

biofuels, Energy, Environment, Ethanol, Opinion, Solar, Wind

How Do Coffee & Biodiesel Mix? Besspresso.

Joanna Schroeder

Raise your mug if you love coffee. For you coffee lovers in Iowa, you can now get your fix from Dave Bess and Anna Erickson’s mobile coffee shop that is fueled by biodiesel. The Iowa City couple has been traveling around the country to public events this summer including the world famous Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

The idea for the business emerged last summer while Bess and Erickson were riding from the Missouri River to the mighty Mississippi when they realized that there was no coffee stand to be found. Soon after, Besspresso was born. But the couple didn’t want to just sell great coffee- they also wanted to do this in an environmentally friendly way.

As a result, their green Mercedes-Benz van is powered by soy-based biodiesel and the coffee-making equipment runs on solar power generated from panels mounted on the roof. In case you didn’t know, Iowa is the largest biodiesel producing state in the country.

Since launching Besspresso, Bess and Erickson have traveled to the Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee, a white-water rafting festival along the Arkansas River in the Rocky Mountains and a Bicycle Tour of Colorado. When they’re not traveling, Besspresso’s home base is 312 E. Market Street in Iowa City.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Solar

Propel Offers San Francisco Drivers B20

Joanna Schroeder

As diesel vehicles become more popular in the U.S., especially in states such as California, Propel Fuels has been offering biodiesel blends to fuel drivers’ commutes. Today, Propel began selling B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent low-sulfur diesel) at three of its stations located in the Bay Area (San Francisco). The company plans to add B20 blends to several stations in Berkeley and San Jose next.

“As high fuel prices force drivers to think about what they put in their tanks, we are proud to offer a higher blend of biodiesel that provides premium performance and guaranteed quality at no additional cost,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel. “We’ve seen an elevated interest in higher-blend biodiesel offerings from Bay Area drivers, in particular. By providing this new choice at the pump, we are enabling these drivers to make even greater progress towards reducing carbon emissions and our nation’s dependence on imported oil.”

Propel sells biodiesel that is sourced from used vegetable oils. Biodiesel has been scientifically proven to improve engine performance and efficiency while at the same time lowering tailpipe emissions. Biodiesel is approved for use in current diesel vehicles and more and more are auto manufacturers are producing vehicles that can run on B20 blends including all 2011 GM and Ford diesel vehicles and Cummins engines.

Propel began selling B20 in Washington State in 2007 and also offers other renewable fuel options as many of its stations including E85.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E85

Renewable Energy Predicted to Grow Despite Economy

Joanna Schroeder

A new report commissioned by Paris-based Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) shows that the renewable energy sector continues to perform well despite the continuing economic recession, incentive cuts and low natural gas prices. In fact, “Renewables 2011 Global Status Report” calculates that renewable energy supplied around 16 percent of global final energy consumption and accounted for nearly 20 percent of global electricity production. The report was authored by Janet Sawin, a senior fellow with the Worldwatch Institute along with a global network of research partners.

When you include large and small hydropower, which is estimated to have added 30 gigawatts of power in 2010, renewable energy accounted for approximately 50 percent of total added power-generating capacity in 2010. Also increasing in capacity last year was the solar water and space heating industry which added approximately 25 gigawatts-thermal (GWth) or about 16 percent.

“The Global Status Report shows that despite the recession, renewables are growing at an enormous rate,” said Director of Climate & Energy Alexander Ochs who contributed to the report. “Still, there are 1.5 billion people who don’t have any access to energy, and 3 billion people relying on traditional biomass sources and coal. If we want to prevent climate change from spinning out of control, we need to scale up our efforts to accelerate renewable energy development and deployment at all levels. Worldwatch will continue to provide guidance as to how this can be done.”

The driver for growth continues to be renewable energy policies. By the beginning of 2011, there were at least 119 countries that had some policy target or renewable energy policy at the national level. In 2005, this number was only 55. The report details that more than half of these countries represent the developing world and at least 95 countries have policy specifically to grow renewable power generation. In the United States, for example, 30 states (plus Washington, D.C.) have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

While feed-in tariffs are somewhat taboo in the United States, they remain the most common mechanism worldwide to encourage adoption of renewable energy sources. Also somewhat lacking in the U.S. private investments in the industry on a global scale reached $211 billion last year, up from $160 billion invested in 2009. Money invested in renewable energy companies, utility-scale generation, and biofuel projects increased to $143 billion, with developing countries surpassing developed economies for the first time, according to the Global Status Report’s recently released companion report, “UNEP’s Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011.” Not surprisingly, China attracted $48.5 billion, or more than a third of the global total.

In addition to the report, REN21 also launched its Renewables Interactive Map, a tool for gathering and sharing the renewable energy developments.

biomass, Electricity, Energy, Hydro, Solar, Wind

Principal Solar Launches Solar Library

Joanna Schroeder

The solar industry has a new resource for information about the solar industry. Principal Solar has launched the “Definitive Solar Library,” an online resource center dedicated exclusively to solar energy. The company believes this is the first of its kind worldwide.

“Efforts to capture the power of the sun at a reasonable cost continue to evolve, positioning solar energy as one of the hottest topics around the world and creating the need for straightforward information and perspectives that improve upon the renewable energy exchange of ideas,” said Michael Gorton, CEO and president of Principal Solar, Inc. “By defining the issues, collecting and distributing information, the Definitive Solar Library will serve as a valuable educational outpost for leaders of government, business and academia. It will also be accessible to consumers who want to join the dialogue.”

To demonstrate the value of the Library, Principal Solar also released two white papers. The first, “Under the Sun: Putting Environmental and Regulatory Issues to Work,” was co-authored by Michael Gorton, CEO and chairman of Principal Solar and Scott D. Deatherage, partner Patton Boggs. This paper guides investors through the technical, legal and environmental issues required for making solar projects work successfully.

The second white papers, “Interfacing with the Electrical Grid,” was co-authored by Ken Allen, chief operating officer of Principal Solar and Ron Seidel, PE, board of directors, Principal Solar. This paper outlines the interconnection of power sources with renewable generation and the roles of federal, regional and state regulatory agencies in the processes.

Gorton added, “Because more entities have become aware of solar energy and its many attributes, timing for this launch is ideal. We expect the Library to improve upon existing practices and deliver additional solutions that advance significant social and economic value to communities, governments and individuals worldwide.”

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

Geothermal Plant Inaugurated in Costa Rica

Joanna Schroeder

A second geothermal plant designed and manufactured by Ormat Technologies has been inaugurated in Las Pailas, Costa Rica. Ormat was contracted by Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economica “BCIE”, to supply all the power equipment, supervise the installation and conduct the testing and start-up of the 42 MW power plant. The plant will actually be operated by the Costa Rican National Electricity and Telecommunications Company.

Several country leaders attended the event including the president of Costa Ricka, H.E. Laura Chinchilla Miranda. Also on hand was the former Minister of Energy, Teofilo de la Torre who was recently nominated as the Executive President of ICE, the country’s national power utility. Dr. Nick Rischbieth, president of BCIE, along with other members of the government and distinguished dignitaries rounded out the attendees.

“We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with ICE which started with the 18 MW Miravalles Unit 5 in 2004. The Las Pailas plant demonstrates the trust that ICE and BCIE have in Ormat and its Binary Technology,” said Ormat’s Chairman, Lucien Y. Bronicki.

Electricity, Energy, Geothermal

You Have Or Want An iPad or Other Tablet

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m very surprised at some of the response to our latest ZimmPoll. Although 37% responding say they have an iPad or other tablet, 33% said they don’t and don’t want one! And we had 30% who said they don’t have one but do want one. However, when you consider that no one had one less than two years ago you might consider the percentage who have or want one to be huge! I know I’m a geek and can’t have enough gadgets but not everyone is an agnerd.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you think the biggest safety issue is at a biorefinery?” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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

ZimmPoll

U.S. Auto Club Endorses Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Auto Club (USAC) made a surprise announcement at the Lucas Oil Raceway last week when they announced they are switching to “Ignite High Performance Ethanol,” an ethanol racing blend distributed by National Biofuels Distribution (NBD). USAC President & CEO Kevin Miller said during his presentation that his organization is “excited to take this direction toward environmentally-friendly fuel usage.”

“Ignite High Performance Ethanol has proven during tests to have a 40 percent reduction in consumption, which translates to savings for our participants, while not compromising performance,” continued Miller. “It’s great to have an alternative which not only serves the environment but also the budgets of our competitors and offers a safer racing atmosphere.”

Several years ago NBD began offering ethanol racing blends in response to increased demand for the fuel. It’s been used on IndyCar Series’ tracks, American Le Mans Series’ courses, drag strips and more and as it demonstrated success word spread and popularity grew. In 2010, Ignite High Performance Ethanol became the title sponsor of the ARCA West Champion Stock Car Series with distribution in 42 states.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with USAC on this fuel produced by Indiana farmers,” said Jay Berry, NBD co-founder and vice president.  “I’m confident that their drivers will like the added power, increased mileage and safety. And we’re looking forward to showing the performance side of ethanol as a high-performance fuel, rather than just as an additive.”

The ethanol racing fuel is available in three blends – E98 and 108 and 114 octane.

Berry added, “Surprisingly, many people either still don’t know much about ethanol or have misconceptions about it. With USAC tracks spread all over the country, this will really give us a ‘grassroots’ opportunity to educate people what ethanol can do from a purely performance standpoint, which is a story that really needs to be told.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Racing

Amyris Partners with Kuraray

Joanna Schroeder

Amyris is now partnering with Kuraray Co. to develop innovative polymers from Biofene, a renewable hydrocarbon building block that is produced from their technology. As part of the partnership, Kuraray will use Biofene to replace petroleum-derived feedstock such as butadiene and isoprene in the production of certain polymers. Upon the success of the product, the two companies will then enter into a supply agreement for Kuraray’s exclusive use of Biofene in these polymer products.

“We are very excited to partner with Amyris, a leading renewable products company, to develop innovative polymer products with Biofene,” said Yasuhiro Yamamoto, director and senior executive officer of Kuraray. “We are confident the new Biofene polymer products will become important additions to our product portfolio and be an integral part of our growth strategy.”

Amyris CEO John Melo added, “We are committed to bringing innovative, high-performing and sustainable products to the polymers market. Partnering with an industry leader like Kuraray allows us to expand the use of Biofene to produce high-performance polymers as well as strengthen our timely and successful route to market.”

biochemicals, Company Announcement

Raleigh N.C. Police Department Converts to AutoGas

Joanna Schroeder

The Raleigh, North Carolina police department held a press conference yesterday to announce the successful conversion of 10 police vehicles to be fueled with propane autogas. The conversion took place with the help of Alliance AutoGas. The company outfitted the police department’s Ford Crown Victoria cruisers with dual fuel systems and also installed an on-site autogas fueling station at the Raleigh District stationhouse to give officers easy access to the fuel.

On hand for the event were Steven Whaley of Blossman Gas (an Alliance AutoGas co-founding partner) and he said the conversions are expected to save between 30,000-36,000 gallons of gasoline per year while also saving an estimated $30,000 in fuel costs. The police department will also experience reduced maintenance costs and vehicle downtime due to, said Whaley, the high octane rating of the autogas.

Also on hand for the event were Raleigh Police Chief Harry Dolan, representatives from the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition and the City of Raleigh’s Office of Sustainability. The North Carolina State Solar Center hosted the event.

Propane