Camelina Fuel Powers Thunderbirds

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds became the first Department of Defense aerial team to use alternative fuel during a Joint Services Open House on Friday.

According to Sustainable Oils, hydrotreated renewable jet fuel (HRJ) made from its camelina powered two Air Force F-16 aircraft for the flight. The camelina was grown and harvested in Montana, and refined into renewable jet using technology from UOP, a Honeywell company.

The fuel was a blend of 50 percent camelina-based biofuel and 50 percent regular Jet Propellant 8 fuel. The Air Force has tested and certified biofuel as a 50-percent blend with regular jet fuel in the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-15 Eagle, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the F-22 Raptor to date. Air Force officials have stated that fleetwide certification is on track for completion in 2013. Sustainable Oils has provided nearly 500,000 gallons of camelina-based HRJ to multiple branches of the US military for its certification programs, making it the most heavily tested alternative fuel feedstock. They are also testing biomass fuels derived from beef tallow and various waste oils and greases.

The Air Force is the largest user of energy in the Department of Defense, said Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton said during the Friday open house, burning more than two billion gallons of aviation fuel each year. “Right now, biomass fuel is about 10 times the cost of JP-8, the current military aviation jet fuel in use,” Conaton said. “In these days of constricted budgets, the fuel the Air Force will buy needs to be cost competitive. When the biofuel industry is able to provide the quantity of fuel the Air Force requires at a good price, we will be ready to buy from them.”

Today at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Ohio, the Air Force is opening a center for ongoing research efforts to develop alternative jet fuels including those derived from coal, algae or biomass sources such as energy crops and waste material.

biojet fuel, Government

GROWMARK Propane Business Expanding

Cindy Zimmerman

Because it is so important for their farmer members, propane is a big part of the energy business for GROWMARK.

Randy Miller, Director of Propane Operations says that they’ve been marketing propane for years. “Obviously, being ag-related, grain drying is a big part of our propane business,” he says, adding that the last couple of years have increased demand for grain drying.

Miller says home heat is also important and they have recently expanded their territory significantly, including into the northeast. “We’re always looking for new markets,” he said. “We’re seeing some interest from major cities as far as using propane as a fuel for city buses. It’s a very clean fuel, burns very clean, very little residue or exhaust.”

GROWMARK negotiates their supply of propane on behalf of members with the flexibility to deliver to areas when and where it is most needed.

Listen to Chuck Zimmerman’s interview with Randy Miller here about the GROWMARK propane business: Randy Miller Interview

Propane

EQM Resumes Production at Texas Biodiesel Plant

Joanna Schroeder

After closing a $500,000 round of funding, EQM Technologies & Energy has put its biodiesel plant in Cleburne, TX back into production. The funds were part of a larger $3 million private placement of 10 percent subordinated convertible notes.

“The start up of our Cleburne, Texas plant has gone smoothly and as planned, and the capital raised from our private placement has been vital to these efforts,” said Jack Greber, CEO of EQM. “Production and sales have met our forecasts, and customer interest and demand have been strong.”

The notes bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum, are due and payable on the third anniversary of their issuance and are convertible into shares of EQM’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.40 per share (subject to adjustment). EQM may call the notes at any time after the first anniversary of their issuance if EQM’s common stock has traded at an average price per share above two times the conversion price for 60 consecutive days.

Biodiesel, biofuels

Extreme Biodiesel to Produce Biodiesel for Grocery Stores

Joanna Schroeder

Extreme Biodiesel, a subsidiary of BookMerge Technology, has been chosen to collect used vegetable oil and produce biodiesel for two supermarkets. On an ongoing basis, Extreme Biodiesel will collect and deliver the supermarkets’ waste vegetable oil to its Corona facility for a delivery collection charge. Extreme will also be paid a toll to process the oil into biodiesel and a second delivery fee for the biodiesel when it is delivered back to the grocery stores. The biodiesel will be used in the grocery stores’ tractor trailers and for the generator refrigeration units.

“The large chain supermarkets are starting to understand the numerous benefits of using biodiesel by eliminating harmful emissions, reducing fuel costs, increasing longevity of the diesel engine life as well as converting the prior cost of disposing waste oil into a viable asset,” said Rick Carter, BookMerge Technology CEO. “We will continue to educate the supermarket industry and are happy to be their partners in toll processing their oil into clean biodiesel.”

Biodiesel, biofuels

University of Florida Receives USDA/DOE Grant

Joanna Schroeder

The University of Florida has received a four-year $5.4 million federal grant to develop methods of producing energy, such as ethanol, from sweet sorghum. The grant is part of a $47 million package funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) designed to support projects that hopefully help the U.S. reduce its dependence on foreign oil while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The research team will focus on turning sweet sorghum into ethanol as well as explore it a a source of raw materials for biochemicals. Mark McLellan, dean of research with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, said that sweet sorghum is one of the most promising feedstocks to make biofuel.

According to Wilfred Vermerris, principal investigator and an associate professor with UF’s agronomy department and UF Genetics Institute, the project will also investigate sweet sorghum’s economic potential, sustainability and environmental impacts. As part of the study, the team will develop and evaluate multiple varieties to assess factors such as water needs, ability to grow in Florida soils, heat tolerance, and susceptibility to diseases and insect pests. The researchers will also look for varieties that yield large amounts of fermentable sugars, which can be fermented to produce fuel ethanol.

“Sustainability and environmental impact have been of concern to many people looking at bioenergy production,” said Vermerris. “We don’t want to create more greenhouse gases than we would using petroleum production.”

The team will also produce cellulosic ethanol from the fiber in the plant’s crushed stalks using genetically engineered bacteria developed at UF by Lonnie Ingram, a distinguished professor in the microbiology and cell science department. Ingram is one of the co-principal investigators for the project and will coordinate juice and biomass processing experiments at the UF Ethanol Pilot Plant in Gainesville and the Stan Mayfield Biorefinery in Perry.

Tampa-based firm U.S. EnviroFuels LLC will also participate in the project led by president and CTO Bradley Krohn. He will coordinate economic and life cycle analyses needed to assess the profit potential and environmental impact of the processes. Several of the experiments will take place at the Highlands EnviroFuels commercial-scale biorefinery in Lake Placid, Fla.

biochemicals, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol

1 MW Solar Farm Completed in North Carolina

Joanna Schroeder

Murphy, North Carolina a small community in Cherokee County, has a new 1 megawatt (MW) solar farm designed, engineered, procured, installed, and managed by ESA Renewables. The solar power system is located on 16 acres in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. In order to optimize the installation and ensure maximum energy generation, 26 feet of dirt was leveled. The power generated by the solar system will be sold back to the Tennessee Valley Authority, who manages the local utility grid.

“Renewable energy installations like Wingate aid the movement toward clean solar energy powering homes and businesses across the country,” said Jeffrey Burkett, president of ESA Renewables. “ESA is pleased to be an integral part of that movement.”

The solar array consists of around 4,340 230 watt Canadian Solar polycrystalline modules, which, ESA says are known for their industry leading PTC efficiency ratings. Now operational, the system could produce an estimated 1.3 million kilowatt-hours each year, which is enough to power more than 150 average sized homes. In addition, it is estimated that the PV system will reduce carbon emissions of 936 tons of CO2 a year, which is the equivalent of 4,681 trees sequestered annually.

“The installation of this clean energy project has had a large community impact through job creation. Eighteen local construction workers, supervisors, electricians and engineers have been employed since its inception,” added Burkett.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

InterContinental Adds Zipcar Charging Stations

Joanna Schroeder

The InterContinental San Francisco has chosen ParkPod to install its electric vehicle charger for its Zipcar Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The hotel was recently awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council that includes operational efficiency as well as minimizing environmental impact.

“We’re thrilled to play a part in the InterContinental San Francisco’s initiative and offer our congratulations to them on achieving LEED Gold certification. ParkPod is committed to helping our partners generate real business value from the provision of electric vehicle charging, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to a great relationship with the Intercontinental San Francisco and City Park,” said Tom Brigham, ParkPod’s Vice President of Business Development – North America.

City Park is the hotel’s parking management provider, as such, they made the direct investment in the charging station. The company will also manage its day-to-day operations. Research has shown that one key to ensure EVs gain widespread adoption, the availability of charging stations are a must.

“We are happy to be involved in the project at the InterContinental, as both companies’ values regarding green practices are truly aligned. Looking forward, we are leading the charge to pursue additional opportunities at the other fine hotels we serve, and see electric vehicle charging stations as one of the amenities that benefits the hotels, their guests, and our community,” said Spencer Sechler, director of sales and marketing, for City Park.

InterContinental San Francisco General Manager Peter Koehler added, “The InterContinental San Francisco supports ongoing efforts to be responsible and sustainable in every area of our business. Having a Zipcar Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle charged by ParkPod on property further demonstrates our commitment to advancing green business and consumer practices.”

Electric Vehicles, energy efficiency

Greening a Golf Course

Joanna Schroeder

There’s more green on this golf course than the “greens.” The Meadow Club in Fairfax, California has just completed a solar power system installation that consists of 2.057 square feet of Sharp solar panels. The project was a venture between Novato and SolarCraft, a solar energy contractor, and the operational solar system is located on the Club’s maintenance building.

It is estimated that the system will generate an estimated 37,147 kilowatt hours of energy each year. This is enough to provide nearly 90 percent of the building’s energy needs. The system is expected to save the Club thousands of dollars each year. All excess power generated during the day is banked by PG&E for credit towards future use. In addition the solar system to eliminate nearly 19 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to eliminating over 1.3 million miles of driving.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

UC Davis Strives for Zero Net Energy Campus

Joanna Schroeder

University of California, Davis is striving to become a zero net energy campus. The first development will be the UC Davis West Village. The development will combine advanced energy efficient design features that include a 4 megawatt (MW) SunPower solar power system. The solar system, comprised of both rooftop and solar canopies installed in parking areas, will generate the equivalent of 100 percent of the community’s electricity demand. Once complete this fall, this is expected to be the largest zero net energy development in in the country. The project is the result of a public-private partnership between UC Davis and West Village Community Partnership, a joint venture between San Francisco-based Carmel Partners and Urban Villages of Denver.

“I applaud UC Davis, SunPower Corporation, Carmel Partners, and the CEC [California Energy Commission] for their collaboration, dedication, and leadership in developing the largest zero net energy project in the United States,” said Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. “This is a demonstration of California’s excellence in sustainability, and should set an example for the rest of the nation.”

The first phase of the 130-acre project will include apartment housing for 2,000 students, an education center for Los Rios Community College, recreation and study facilities, a village square surrounded by neighborhood-serving retail, and 343 single family homes for sale to faculty and staff. Students will be welcome beginning with the fall semester for two student housing components of the community, The Ramble Apartments and Viridian.

“West Village is a paradigm shift in creating both a great place to live and a model Zero Net Energy community,” said Nolan Zail, senior vice president for Carmel Partners. “Using aggressive energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy generation to meet community energy demand, this holistic approach offers new solutions in the design and construction of large-scale sustainable communities,” Zail added.

The UC Davis West Village will integrate sustainable design enabling those living in the community to reduce their reliance on automobiles, limit energy consumption and enjoy the benefits of the local climate. Building designs optimize solar orientation, utilize energy efficient appliances and incorporate materials from renewable sources. Increased efficiencies will be achieved by providing UC Davis West Village residents with tools to enhance control of their own energy use, including programmable energy management systems and SunPower monitoring, which provides information on solar system power generation and electricity usage.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

FAO Studies Pros & Cons of Bioenergy

Joanna Schroeder

FAO has released a new report that contains methodology designed to aid policymakers assess the pros and cons of investing in the bioenergy industry. The “Bioenergy and Food Security (BEFS) Analytical Framework” was written to help governments evaluate the potential of bioenergy as well as assess its possible food security impacts. The framework was developed over a three-year time frame and cites development and field tests that took place in Peru, Tanzania and Thailand.

The report is comprised of a series of step-by-step evaluations that seek to answer critical questions regarding the feasibility of bioenergy development and the impacts on food availability and household food security. In addition, social and environmental dimensions are also considered. The paper also serves as a platform for bringing key ministries and institutions together so they can work on the same page.

“Our goal is to help policy-makers take informed decisions regarding whether bioenergy development is a viable option and, if so, identify policies that will maximize benefits and minimize risks,” explains Heiner Thofern, who heads FAO’s Bioenergy and Food Security (BEFS) project.

The drive to biofuels have been driven by both worries over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels as well as high oil prices and energy security concerns. FAO believes that one important benefit of investments into the bioenergy sector is that it could spark much-needed investment in agricultural and transport infrastructure in rural areas. This would create jobs and boost household income. These benefits could lesson both poverty and food security concerns. FAO has also conducted separate studies that show small-scale bioenergy projects not designed for export markets can improve food security and help boost rural economies.

“FAO has been saying for years that under-investment in agriculture is a problem that seriously handicaps food production in the developing world, and that this, coupled with rural poverty, is a key driver of world hunger,” says Thofern. “Done properly and when appropriate, bioenergy development offers a chance to drive investment and jobs into areas that are literally starving for them.”

Yet while there are major potential benefits to bioenergy production, FAO warns there are also potential negatives. They write that large-scale biofuel production could come at the expense of food production, leading to less food available, and higher food prices. In addition, deforestation is also a concern. Therefore, potential risks and benefits need to be weighed.

bioenergy, biofuels, food and fuel, Indirect Land Use, International, Research