ACE Conference 2026

Book Review – Switching to Solar

Joanna Schroeder

I’m writing this post, sitting outside, overlooking a pool sparkling in the sunshine. OK, not really but it gets your mind in the right place – a sunny day. Solar energy has been gaining ground in both the U.S. and especially Europe so I thought it was high-time I learn more about the history of solar. “Switching to Solar,” by Bob Johnstone should become the industry and consumer reference to the worldwide solar story.

I have to admit that reading books on energy, environment and ag can be a bit dry regardless of the veracity of the information. But Johnstone broke the mold with his engaging story telling, compelling information and insights on the solar industry. It probably helps that he is a journalist, but he takes us through the history of solar weaving through Europe and taking a stop in Germany and coming back to the States – a country that was winning and now is losing, the solar technology race to countries overseas such as China.

There are several issues that are discussed in the book that are of special importance to the solar industry: rate of conversion, subsidies/tariffs, industry viability, legislation, and technology. He also talks about overcoming utility resistance to renewable energy and their adoption to both energy efficiency strategies and the adoption of renewable energy. Two areas he didn’t discuss in detail are the challenges with storage and transmission lines/ smart grid issues.

He writes, “For utilities, promoting energy efficiency was an unnatural act. Thus far, their entire rationale had been to encourage customers to use more energy, not less. their rate structure was designed to reward consumption, by charging customers less for the additional kilowatt-hours they used. Their domestic sales departments came up with promotional gimmicks to encourage usage. Utility salespeople gleefully handed out free hair dryers to their customers.”

See this ladies. It’s the utility companies’ fault that we’re contributing to global climate change with our old school hairdryers.Read More

book reviews, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Students In India Study Water Hyacinth for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

Students around the world are in search of new alternatives to fossil fuels. Several biotech students in Surat, Gujarat are studying the water hyacinth as a feedstock to produce ethanol. The students are looking for ways to reduce fuel costs – earlier this month the Central government announced that the price of fuel would increase five rupees across the country. Ethanol is also of interest because it can be used as a fuel for heat and light as well as a transportation fuel.

“Our objective of the project is to produce ethanol, which is a cheaper source of energy. Currently, ethanol is produced from grinds and sugarcane, but they are costing between 12-15 rupees per piece. We want to help cut down the price of fuel in the market, by using waste material, which is called Eichhornia (Water Hyacinth), which grows plenty in the wastewater and fresh water,” said R.K. Krishnamurthy, a biotechnology professor in an article in DailyIndia.com.

Krishnamurthy continued, “In another way it is creating pollution to the water bodies. We want to use those materials which is available at a throw away cost, it is freely available.”

The water hyacinth is considered an invasive pest by researchers; yet, it could be a viable ethanol feedstock because of its abundance in hydrosphere. The research team is collecting samples, then they wash them and dry them overnight at high temperatures. From there the dried water hyacinths are crushed and treated with diluted Sulphuric acid. Eventually, yeast is added and the plant is fermented to ethanol.

The students are racing against the clock. They are trying to produce a product to help mitigate the rising cost of fuel as well as meet the government’s goal of increasing biofuel production and use by 2012.

Shweta Patel, a biotechnology student added, “By 2012, we aim to increase the production of ethanol and reduce pollution by 10 percent in our area. Our target is to create as much as bio-ethanol and help the government.”

biofuels, Ethanol, International

Technology Can Make Ethanol From Coal

Cindy Zimmerman

A new technology to produce ethanol from coal could be a new alternative to plant-produced ethanol.

Chemical product company Celanese recently introduced investors to Celanese TCX™, a new and proprietary technology for ethanol production from coal, petroleum coke or natural gas. According to company officials who call it game-changing technology, Celanese TCX™ can produce ethanol at the equivalent of gasoline produced with $60 per barrel crude oil.

Celanese, which has offices around the world and in Dallas, Tex., is planning to build two facilities in China by the end of the year that will use coal to produce ethanol for industrial uses. Officials say they may produce ethanol for fuel as well in China and other countries.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Turning Glycerin to Soap Could Add Profits

Joanna Schroeder

A byproduct of the biodiesel production process is crude glycerin. The boon of the biodiesel industry has helped to create a glycerin glut and many biodiesel producers are having to dispose of the product rather than sell it. However, Diesello Verde S.A., based in Costa Rica, has developed technology that could provide biodiesel producers with a new revenue stream for the glycerin – eco-friendly, natural cosmetics products such as glycerin soap.

Diesello believes that using low value waste stream provides significant competitive advantages for biodiesel producers, especially with the multi-billion dollar green product industry. As margins on biodiesel production are typically tight, diversification of products can add additional revenue to the producer.

The company believes that by exploring new product development within a biodiesel company’s existing infrastructure, they can expect greatly improved profitability, lower production costs, and a larger and more diverse client base. As such, they will visit a plant, assess its current technology and products, and then create a strategy to expand the business into revenue generating cosmetics products, such as glycerin soaps.

Biodiesel, biofuels, biomaterials

NASCAR Driver Kenny Wallace to Keynote Southeast Bioenergy Conference

Joanna Schroeder

NASCAR Series Driver Kenny Wallace and co-host of the shows Race Day and Victory Lane, will be giving the keynote address during the 2011 Southeast Bioenergy Conference on August 9-11 in Tifton, Georgia. Wallace drives the No. 9 American Ethanol Toyota Camrey and is currently ranked 7th in the Series. Last week, Wallace completed his 500th Nationwide start bringing his career stats to nine wins, 10 poles, and nine seasons in the top 10 driver points. He has also won the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award three times.

NASCAR announced earlier this year it would race using Sunoco Green E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol. To learn more about the fuel and the people who grow the crops and produce American ethanol, Wallace has spent time at ethanol plants and on farms.

Wallace will kick off the conference on Monday, August 9th at 8:30 am followed by a general session focusing on Global Markets for Biofuels and Bioproducts. Other sessions include Southeast Forestry’s Bioenergy Potential, Promising Energy Crops For the Southeast, Innovative Approaches to Ethanol Production, E85, E15 – Creating a Biofuel Infrastructure System, Efficiencies From Combined Heat and Power, Energy From Waste, and more. Mike McAdams, Executive Director of the Advanced Biofuels Association will also be giving a presentation on Building Cooperation and Coalitions.

The conference boasts a wide-range of speakers including Professor Li, Tsinghua University; Christianne Egger, Upper Austrian Renewable Energy Agency; Hagan Rose, Eco Energy; Phillip Jennings, Repreve Renewables, and more.

Registration is now open. Click here to learn more about the conference and to register.

bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, conferences

Iowa Governor Signs Bill to Boost Ethanol and Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has made good on a promise he made to the state’s renewable fuels industry back in January to revitalize Iowa’s rural economy by boosting sales of ethanol and production of biodiesel.

IRFA Terry Branstad“I want to work with the legislature to change the incentive from 10 percent to 15 percent,” Branstad said of ethanol in Iowa during an address at the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.

Today, Governor Branstad formally signed a comprehensive renewable fuels bill passed by the state legislature that establishes the nation’s first specific E15 incentive for local retailers to offer the mid-level blend to motorists, a new short-term production incentive program for Iowa biodiesel producers and several other provisions for renewable fuels in the state. “Governor Branstad’s signature completes the long process of putting Iowa in the forefront of renewable fuels policy, not just production,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw.

Under the new law, retailers will get a 3 cent tax credit for E15 sales. EPA is expected to give final approval for E15 later this summer for use in all 2001 and newer cars and light trucks. Other provisions include misfueling liability protection for retailers, an enhanced E85 retailer tax credit, an extension of the biodiesel retailer tax credit for blends of B5 and higher, $3 million in annual funding for Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (which provides grants for installation of blender, E85 and biodiesel dispensers as well as biodiesel terminal infrastructure), modifications to Iowa’s 25% Iowa renewable fuels standard and ethanol tax credit and codifying the ASTM fuel specification for biodiesel blends between 6 and 20 percent.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

RFA: Ethanol Means Memorial Day Savings for Travelers

Cindy Zimmerman

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), ethanol will save Memorial Day travelers this year $440 million on gas.

As the summer season kicks off this weekend, AAA estimates that almost 31 million Americans will take a trip with an average distance of 792 miles, even though gas prices are up 40 percent, averaging $3.91, compared to $2.85 this time last year. RFA says ethanol means they will actually be spending considerably less on gasoline than would otherwise be the case.

RFA’s analysis, based on AAA estimates and the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) study on ethanol and gas prices, determined that “the average American family traveling this Memorial Day will save more than $31 simply due to the fact that ethanol is holding gasoline prices down. Aggregate gasoline savings due to ethanol this weekend will be $440 million, based on AAA estimates of average trip length.”

Read the analysis by RFA VP of Research Geoff Cooper on the E-xchange blog.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Umbria Italy Home of New Solar Farm

Joanna Schroeder

Next time you visit Italy there will be a new “eco-tourist” destination. A solar farm is up and running in the municipality of Castel Giorgio in the region of Umbria Italy. The solar farm is nestled among farming land on the summit of a high plateau a few miles from Lake Bolsena a popular agrotourism area. The 2 megawatt system consists of 8,350 solar panels and spans 14-acres. It is now one of the largest concentration of photovoltaic modules on one site in the region and was designed by Canadian Solar and will be operated by ESA. Enel, Italy’s largest power company, will purchase the electricity generated by the system through the feed-in-tariff program at a predictable rate.

“This new solar farm builds on Canadian Solar’s rich heritage in serving Italy’s vibrant renewable market, and we’re pleased to partner with ESA to bring clean energy to Umbria,” said Shawn Qu, CEO of Canadian Solar. “This 2 MW project demonstrates Castel Giorgio’s energy leadership. It’s a testament to the quality and efficiency of our modules that Canadian Solar was chosen to be part of one of the largest solar project in the municipality.”

The project utilized 4,150 Canadian Solar panels and 4200 Trina Solar panels. The solar system has the ability to generate 3.1 million kilowatt hours kWh per year, or will produce enough energy for 300 averaged-sized home. The technology allows ESA to monitor the system from anywhere in the world.

“Projects like our solar farm demonstrate a fundamental shift in the value of renewable energy sources,” said Mariano Lopez, CEO of ESA. “We’re proud to have commissioned this array because it represents positive movement towards achieving energy independence. We have no intention of stopping here. We have upcoming plans that include additional large-scale solar installations — because renewable energy is definitely the way of the future.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

New Study Released – Driving California’s Economy

Joanna Schroeder

Maybe a coincidence, but on the same day the EPA and DOE released new fuel economy labels, Next 10 released a new study, “Driving California’s Economy: How Fuel Economy and Emission Standards Will Impact Economic Growth and Job Creation.” The study found that policies that support fuel efficiency will drive consumer savings, drive job creation and spur economic growth. In addition, the study concluded that the highest passenger vehicle fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards produce the most positive results in terms of job creation, household savings, Gross State Product, and emissions reductions.

“Our study indicates that when it comes to fuel economy and emissions standards, Californians don’t have to choose between a robust economy and a cleaner vehicle fleet — they can enjoy both,” said Professor David Roland-Holst, author of the report.

The report used an economic forecasting model to project the effects of improved fuel economy and emission standards both enacted by the federal government and under consideration by the state. When compared to California’s economic performance without any vehicle fuel economy or emissions standards, if fuel economy improved by 4-6 percent per year starting in 2017, California would see the following impacts by the year 2025: the addition of 38,000 to 236,000 jobs; an increase in GSP of .82 percent to 1.31 percent; and a reduction of 8 percent to 19 percent of state GHG emissions.

F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10, said of the study, “For more than three decades, California’s investments in energy efficiency — through groundbreaking building, appliance, and utility regulatory standards — have reaped substantial economic returns for consumers in our state. These returns have in turn supported the creation of new jobs and businesses. Californians will see similar benefits when it comes to clean cars.”

Currently, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is in the midst of passing legislation that will set vehicle emission standards for passenger cars sold in the state for model years 2017-2025. States are allowed under the federal Clean Air Act to set their own vehicle emission standards but not fuel economy standards – those can only be set by the federal government. Oftentimes other states follow California’s lead and today, 14 other states currently follow California’s emission policies. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are expected to announce the new fuel economy standards this fall.

Environment

Pathway to Develop Sustainable Aviation Biofuels Industry

Joanna Schroeder

In 2010, the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest (SAFN) was formed to determine how the Pacific Northwest could create a viable and robust biofuels industry with the goal of creating fuels for the aviation industry. Yesterday, a 10 month study conducted by Climate Solutions has determined that the Pacific Northwest has the diverse feedstock, fuel-delivery infrastructure and political will needed to achieve their goals. However, the report stressed that creating an aviation biofuels industry will depend upon securing early government policy support to prioritize the aviation industry in U.S. biofuels development.

Partners in the program include Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University.

“It is critical to the future of aviation that we develop a sustainable supply of aviation biofuels,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh during a press announcement. “Airlines are particularly vulnerable to oil price volatility, and the aviation community must address this issue to maintain economic growth and further mitigate the environmental impacts of our industry.”

Dr. John Gardner, vice president for advancement and external affairs at Washington State University noted that there were three goals of the report. The study aimed to verify what the sources of biomass would be; what the supply chain would be and the steps needed to make it happen; and what policies might be barriers.

To create a market for aviation biofuels, the study outlines an integrated approach recommending the use of diverse feedstock and technology pathways, including oilseeds, forest residues, solid waste and algae. In addition, the study outlines the long-term importance of securing aviation biofuels as a top government priority and using the aviation industry to drive growth in domestic production.

Bill Ayer, Alaska Air Group Chairman, noted that consumers care about the issue of high fuel costs and sustainable future fuels and the airlines are taking the issue seriously.Read More

biofuels, biojet fuel, Research