ACE Conference 2026

DuPont Expands Into Solar Market

Joanna Schroeder

DuPont has expanded it’s solar market portfolio with the acquisition of Innovalight, Inc., a company that develops silicon inks and process technologies that increase the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells. According to DuPont, Innovalight will broaden and more integrate its efforts in the photovoltaic market.

In 2010, DuPont exceeded revenues of $1 billion from sales into the photovoltaic market and has set a goal of surpassing $2 billion by the end of 2014 based on continued growth supported by new innovations and improved technologies.

“Innovalight has very exciting technology that improves cell efficiency and DuPont can help expedite its adoption,” said David B. Miller, president – DuPont Electronics & Communications. “DuPont and Innovalight share a commitment to innovation in materials that have a common purpose – to make solar energy more efficient and more affordable.”

The company is based in Sunnyvale, Calif and was founded by Conrad Burke. They have developed several silicon ink products that use DuPont’s Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes to boost the amount of electricity produced from sunlight. The resulting product is known as Emitter solar cells. The company anticipates its Selective Emitter technology could represent 13 percent of crystalline silicon solar cell production by 2013 and increase to 38 percent by 2020.

Burke added, “Innovalight brings in-depth knowledge of solar devices, silicon technology and Selective Emitter technology, and DuPont adds expertise in materials science, manufacturing capabilities and global market access. Our offerings are complementary to one another, and together we will broaden and accelerate our ability to meet customer needs and address today’s energy challenges with our continued innovations.”

This is the second renewable energy company that DuPont has been in partnership this year that it has acquired. Earlier this year, it purchased Danisco.

Agribusiness, Solar

Chevy to Sell Diesel Vehicles in US

Joanna Schroeder

Chevrolet is planning on introducing a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze to be sold in the United States beginning in 2013. Diesel versions of the Cruz are already being sold in Europe. The advantage of offering a diesel version in the U.S. is that consumers will be able to fuel the vehicle with biodiesel blends.

Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum noted, “In just its first year, the Cruze has proven to be extremely popular with American drivers. In June, it was the best-selling car in the U.S. and has exceeded sales of more than 20,000 per month since February.

“General Motors has been a global leader in clean diesel engine technology and this announcement is great news for North American consumers,” added Schaeffer. “Given the overwhelming success of the Duramax diesel heavy-duty pick-up truck in North America, and diesel engine options in the Opel brands in Europe, we can only predict the Diesel Cruze will be a huge hit in the U.S. This announcement clearly signifies the increasing importance of clean diesel technology as a key and viable strategy for meeting fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions goals.

There are currently 22 diesel cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and several auto manufacturers, including Volkswagen have announced new diesel models aimed at the American market.

Biodiesel, Car Makers

Rollins Wind Project Completed

Joanna Schroeder

First Wind has completed a 60 megawatt (MW) wind farm in Penobscot County, Maine. The Rollins Wind project is comprised of 200 wind turbines that are estimated to power nearly 23,000 average sized homes each year. The power is being delivered to Maine homes and businesses and is cost-competitive due to two long-term electricity supply contracts with Bango Hydro and Central Maine Power, the state’s Public Utilities Commission.

“The Rollins Wind project is clean energy, made in Maine for the people of Maine. It will deliver clean, renewable energy to Maine homes and businesses at a cost competitive with fossil fuel plants, but without the emissions of many other forms of energy,” said First Wind CEO, Paul Gaynor. “This is a significant addition to our growing portfolio of wind projects in Maine that now have the capacity to generate 185 MW of clean energy. We’d like to thank all of our partners, the members of the surrounding community and our supporters for helping to make this project a reality.”

First Wind says this project was a significant source of revenue and new jobs in the area with more than $30 million spent directly with 97 Maine-based businesses. The Rollins Wind Project will also generate additional activity through its ongoing operations.

“The State of Maine is fortunate to have a company like First Wind and its partners in the Rollins Project bringing such a significant investment into the Lincoln Region,” said Rep. Stacey Fitts, House Chair of the Legislature’s Energy Utilities and Technology Committee, who spoke at the event. “This project is a significant step in the effort to move Maine away from our dependence on fossil fuels. This is not easy, and we should congratulate everyone involved in this project for their efforts.”

Electricity, Energy, Wind

New Study Shows Energy Efficiency of Soy Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study shows that biodiesel offers an amazing 5-to-1 return over fossil energy sources.

The study by the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture concludes that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 5.54 units of renewable energy. This energy-in, energy-out ratio is called “energy balance” or “fossil energy ratio.”

“This study shows the clear trend that biodiesel production continues to improve when it comes to efficient use of resources,” said Don Scott, director of sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board. “No other fuel available in the U.S. comes close to such a high energy balance.”

Scott noted the most recent data available for this study was from 2006. “Using data from 2009 or 2010 would likely show an even greater gain in energy efficiency,” he said.

Read the study here.

Biodiesel

First Biodiesel School Bus Retires

Cindy Zimmerman

What is believed to be the nation’s first school bus to run on a biodiesel blend was put out to pasture at the end of the 2010-11 school year, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

When Medford, New Jersey’s 1998 International school bus retired at the end of June, it reached a milestone in the process. The bus was the first in New Jersey, and possibly the country, to be filled with B20.

Over the course of its life, it consumed over 28,000 gallons of biodiesel and exposed hundred of young people to a cleaner-burning advanced biofuel that not only helped protect their health, but hopefully taught them something about the importance of alternative fuels.

“Similar to the biodiesel industry, the bus certainly bears the marks of a traveling a long and difficult path and weathering a number of storms,” said Joe Biluck, Director of Operations and Technology for the Medford Township Public School district. “The industry has made monumental strides over the past 13 years. Since then, thousands of public and private fleets have made the switch to biodiesel blends in an effort to lessen their environmental impact.”

“Without early support from people like Biluck, the industry wouldn’t be where it is today,” said NBB Chairman Gary Haer. “As America’s only commercially available advanced biofuel, biodiesel stands ready to help meet our energy challenges for years to come.”

The National Biodiesel Board awarded Biluck its annual Inspiration award in 2005.

Biodiesel, NBB

Effort to Block 15% Ethanol Waiver in the House

Cindy Zimmerman

An effort that would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from implementing its approved waiver for E15 ethanol blends in America’s fuel supply is being led by Reps. John Sullivan (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says they intend to fight against an amendment to the FY 2012 Department of the Interior and EPA funding bills that would block EPA from moving forward with the regulatory decision made in January approving E15 for all vehicles built in the last decade. “The Sullivan/Peters amendment picks politics over science,” Buis said in a statement. “Voting for this amendment is like voting to keep our nation addicted to foreign oil and all the economic and military consequences of that addiction.”

The amendment is expected to be printed in the record today and could come up for a vote later this week.

Ethanol, Government, Growth Energy

Canadian Waste Oil Biodiesel Facility to Open

Cindy Zimmerman

A commercial-scale biodiesel processing facility is opening this week in the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, Canada

For the past six years, the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-operative has been supplying its members with 100% biodiesel processed elsewhere from recycled cooking oil. With the introduction of this new community biodiesel processor, the co-op will now be taking waste cooking oil from area residents and restaurants and processing it into biodiesel themselves. The co-op’s motto is “We eat locally, and so do our cars.”

The grand opening event for the facility will be on Wednesday.

Biodiesel

DOE Biomass Conference This Week

Cindy Zimmerman

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will keynote the Department of Energy 4th annual Biomass Conference on Tuesday.

This year’s conference, Biomass 2011, will focus on topics surrounding the use of biomass as a replacement for petroleum to supply the energy, products, and power markets. The Biomass 2011 theme will explore the new horizons of bioenergy technologies and deployment strategies, business practices, policies, and partnerships that will help sustainably transform the energy landscape.

Among those on the conference agenda is POET’s Project LIBERTY Director Jim Sturdevant who will outline the company’s vision for expanding the reach of its technology to other ethanol producers and new feedstocks. He will also show how the industry will spread to make every state an energy-producing state and what that will mean for America’s economy. Sturdevant will join Richard Wynne, Director of Environment and Aviation Policy for Boeing Company; Henry Bryndza, Director of Biochemical Science and Engineering for DuPont and Mark Maher, General Motors Executive Director for Powertrain and Vehicle Integration in a plenary session “Industry Perspectives on Bioenergy” on Wednesday morning.

biomass, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, POET

Elsevier Biofuel Launched to Guide Innovation

Joanna Schroeder

A new tool is now available for biofuel managers and research development professionals to help solve innovation challenges. Elsevier Biofuels is an unique online search and discovery tool that gives companies access to the highest level of scientific, industrial and commercial information that can be utilized by companies to assist them in solving problems or make key decisions.

“BioEnergy RD&D (Research, Development and Demonstration) is a complex interdisciplinary challenge,” said Marcus Gay, biofuels information consultant, Elsevier Biofuels. “As a former BioEnergy R&D manager I am acutely aware of the technical, economic and commercial challenges faced by professionals in the industry. Elsevier’s Biofuel Information Discovery Tool pulls together scientific and commercial information enabling researchers to have this critical binocular vision during every stage of the development process.”

Using keywords, users can drill down to needed data and information. They can also tap into the Elsevier Biofuel Tree Thesaurus where more than 900 journals, 800 books, and 5.8 million patent documents are available. The platform also allows users to compare high-quality data specific to the biofuels industry including: solve problems with existing scientific knowledge; research new, promising advanced technologies; compare applicable approved pathways and methodologies; and minimize waste in resources.

“Having tested the beta version of Elsevier Biofuels discovery tool thoroughly, it became immediately apparent how limiting the information returned from internet only search is, by comparison,” said Dr. Skye Thomas-Hall, Senior Scientist, Cellana LLC. “The combination of high quality journal, book and patent information in one location, is a huge advantage that increased my efficiency by at least 15-20%.”

biofuels, Education

Some Skepticism About USDA Acreage Predictions

Chuck Zimmerman

The majority of you who responded to our latest ZimmPoll think USDA’s acreage predictions are way off. We asked the question, “How accurate do you believe the USDA acreage predictions are?” 55% said Way Off while 41% said Close and 4% said Spot On. So there you have it. Take ’em with a grain of salt. Hey, they’re a prediction after all. Does anyone know what the future looks like?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Are you worried about how government regulations will hurt your business?” This is a big topic in Washington, DC right now and applies to all businesses. Please chime in and let the world know what you think. Thanks.

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

ZimmPoll