Monsanto & Sapphire to Colloborate on Algae

Joanna Schroeder

Agribusiness company Monsanto and algae company Sapphire Energy have announced a partnership to “discover” genes that could be applied to agriculture particularly in the areas of yield and stress. As Sapphire works to bring algal fuels to commercial scale, the company is searching for traits that make a particular strain of algae better suited for fuel or other biochemicals. In this partnership, the technology that Sapphire uses with algae will be applied to to help identify genes that might positively affect other traditional crop yields.

“Sapphire’s expertise in algal research offers a novel platform that will allow us to screen and identify promising genes faster,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “We face a common goal in looking for ways to improve upon an organism’s ability to achieve greater productivity under optimal and sub-optimal environmental conditions. Together with Sapphire, we can identify genes affecting such traits in algae that might also be applied to corn, cotton, soybeans and other crops.”

Fraley notes that algae is an ideal plant to research because they have a similar photosynthetic process to other plants but are simple and efficient to work with. Algae also can be grown, screened, tested, and selected with high throughput tools, which enables a relatively fast process for researchers.

“Monsanto has always been at the forefront of agricultural technology developments and innovation,” said Jason Pyle, chief executive officer for Sapphire Energy. “Through this collaborative partnership, we’ll focus our leading-edge research agenda on some of the biggest questions facing both agriculture and energy. By leveraging our algae platform and tools to improve crop yield and enhance crop performance, Sapphire will be able to accelerate our ability to produce a renewable crude oil replacement and reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil.”

Under the agreement, Monsanto will make an equity investment in Sapphire and the two companies will collaborate on algae-based research projects.

Agribusiness, algae, biofuels

Corn Ethanol Walks the Line Song

Cindy Zimmerman

Here’s another video clip from the ethanol producer group known as “Green Floyd” that played at the recent National Ethanol Conference. The Green Floyd band is made up of Frontline Bioenergy CEO Bill Lee, Neil and Tom Koehler with Pacific Ethanol and Paul Kamp with Inbicon.

This song is a parody of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” with lyrics tailored especially for corn farmers and ethanol producers. Here are some of the words:

I keep on growing, this corn of mine
I keep telling the truth about the lying
I know that ethanol is worth the fighting
Because you’re mine, I walk the line

Now many say it’s just a foil
That there’s no way to get off the oil
But a farmer can’t be stopped from trying
Because you’re mine, I walk the line

Enjoy!

corn, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, Video

Researchers Develop Isobutanol From Cellulose

Joanna Schroeder

Using consolidated bioprocessing, researchers at the Department of Energy’s BioEnergy Science Center have discovered how to develop isobutanol directly from cellulose. The research was led by James Liao of the University of California at Los Angeles, and the results were published in the paper titled “Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium Cellulolyticum for Isobutanol Production from Cellulose,”online in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

“Unlike ethanol, isobutanol can be blended at any ratio with gasoline and should eliminate the need for dedicated infrastructure in tanks or vehicles,” said Liao, chancellor’s professor and vice chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. Plus, it may be possible to use isobutanol directly in current engines without modification.”

According to Liao, when compared to ethanol, isobutanol is a better candidate to replace gasoline because it has an energy density, octane value and Reid vapor pressure that is closer to gasoline.

Producing fuels from cellulose is much harder than corn or sugarcane and takes several steps. So Liao and postdoctoral researcher Wendy Higashide of UCLA and Yongchao Li and Yunfeng Yang of Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a strain of Clostridium cellulolyticum, a native cellulose-degrading microbe, that could synthesize isobutanol directly from cellulose. The work was based on earlier work at UCLA where the team build a synthetic pathway for isobutanol production.

While some Clostridium species produce butanol, these organisms typically do not digest cellulose directly. Other Clostridium species digest cellulose but do not produce butanol. None produce isobutanol, an isomer of butanol – until now.

While there were many possible microbial candidates, the research team chose a genetically engineered strain of Clostridium cellulolyticum, which was originally isolated from decayed grass. The team’s strategy exploits the host’s natural cellulolytic activity and the amino acid biosynthetic pathway and diverts its intermediates to produce higher alcohol than ethanol. The team believes that this research sets the stage future studies that will likely involve genetic manipulation of other consolidated bioprocessing microorganisms.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Research

Geothermal Capacity Could Double in 10 Years

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report from Pike Research, “Geothermal Power,” geothermal capacity could double in 10 years. The report concludes that increasing investment in geothermal power could result in a 134 percent increase in total geothermal power between 2010-2020. In other words, an increase from 10.7 gigawatts (GW) to 25.1 GW worldwide when based on a high-growth scenario. Using a more moderate growth scenario closer to the current rate of growth, the report estimates capacity would increase 34 percent to 14.3 GW by 2020. Geothermal energy offers many benefits including the ability to provide almost 24 hour per day electricity production with little to no emissions.

“Worldwide potential for geothermal energy is immense but geothermal remains an underutilized resource and represents only a small fraction of the global renewable energy portfolio,” said senior analyst Peter Asmus. “Improved access to resource data, more efficient drilling processes, increased understanding about the industry’s potential, and improving access to financing are driving expanding interest in the sector.”

According to Asmus, the current geothermal capacity is spread across 26 countries with a combined output of nearly 67 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity. The U.S. is the global leader with 3.1 GW of installed capacity while seven countries represent 88 percent of the global geothermal capacity. Although traditional geothermal resources make up the majority of installed capacity, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and co-produced wells both offer opportunities for expansion.

The high-growth scenario used in the study assumes continued and persistent volatility in the price of oil, tightening carbon regulations, improved access to capital, standardization of geothermal exploration data, contribution from EGS-enabled and co-produced resources, technological breakthroughs in exploration and drilling equipment, improved access to drills and skilled labor, and sustained policies supporting renewable energy mandates, grants, and tax subsidies.

Asmus added, “Even if progress falls short in these areas the potential for geothermal market expansion remains strong, and even our conservative business-as-usual forecast is consistent with growth rates observed in the industry since 1990.”

Energy, Geothermal, Research

Maverick Biofuels Wins NSF Award

Joanna Schroeder

Maverick Biofuels has announced that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a reactor system for converting syngas into high-value products. The company is commercializing a technology to convert biomass to a mixed-alcohol biofuel that can be readily blended with gasoline as a drop-in fuel. The process utilizes biomass gasification to produce synthesis gas followed by two catalytic reactions, which produces high yields of gasoline-compatible alcohols.

The SBIR Program ensures that the nation’s small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government’s research and development efforts.

“Given the level of competition and depth of peer review, this is a significant award for Maverick Biofuels,” said Jeffrey Harrison, chief engineering officer for Maverick.

The company is pursuing a hybrid business model that consists of licensing the technology along with building and operating production facilities with various partners.

biofuels, biomass

Sinclair Oil to Make More REG Biodiesel Available

John Davis

Sinclair Oil Corporation will make more biodiesel available for fuel distributors and consumers in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.

The company is making dyed and clear biodiesel-blends of Renewable Energy Group’s REG-9000TM biodiesel available at Sinclair’s Ft. Madison, Iowa terminal, available 24 hours daily for carded drivers:

“Sinclair has a long history of providing business solutions for petroleum distributors and retailers. Offering biodiesel blends at the Ft. Madison, Iowa terminal is an important step in moving our refining and petroleum distribution businesses forward in meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Jack Barger, Vice President of Marketing and Supply for Sinclair Oil Corporation.

“We are pleased to partner with Renewable Energy Group,” added Barger. “REG® is committed to biodiesel quality and has a long-standing reputation for service to the petroleum industry.”

Biodiesel

New Videos Demonstrate Wind Farm Benefits

Joanna Schroeder

Two new videos produced by Seimans in conjunction with Cannon Power Group demonstrate how a wind farm can benefit the local community. The videos are based on its Windy Point/Windy Flats (WP/WF) wind farm project in Goldendale, Washington with the first video focusing on the economic benefits of wind energy and the second video focusing on how to finance a wind energy project.

In the first video, Golendale residents tell the story of how the formerly struggling town has new life due to the wind farm. Like many small towns in America, the younger generation has had to leave home to find good paying jobs. But with the growth of renewable energy, such as wind power, the economic equation has been improved through the creation of new jobs and many of the “sons and daughters” are able to come home again.

To date, the capital investment in Klickitat County, where the WP/WF wind farm is located, exceeds $1 billion. The wind farm is actually one of the largest in the US with turbines spanning 30 miles along the Columbia River ridgeline. When completed, the wind farm will produce 500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, enough to power more than 250,000 homes per year.

The turbines were manufactured by Siemans and “Wind Power Energizes a Community in Klickitat County,” and “Windy Flats – Financing Wind Energy Projects,” were produced by Siemens as part of its 2010 “Summer in America” campaign.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

FPL Celebrates First Hybrid Solar Power Plant

Joanna Schroeder

Spanning nearly 500 acres in western Martin County, Florida the first ever hybrid solar power plant connects a field of more than 190,000 solar thermal mirrors to an existing combined cycle natural gas power plant to produce energy. Known as the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center, the one of a kind facility is owned by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and was “put into service” with the help of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos among others.

“From job creation to cleaner air to energy security, this project demonstrates the many benefits of investing in large-scale renewable energy, especially in Florida,” said FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera. “Leadership by the Florida Legislature in 2008 made this project and its myriad benefits possible. We’re hopeful that today’s leaders will take action to enable more cost-effective investments like this so we can continue taking dramatic steps forward to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and get more Floridians back to work quickly.”

FPL’s 75-megawatt Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center will generate enough energy to power around 11,000 homes. The combined technology is expected to reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 41 billion cubic feet of natural gas and more than 600,000 barrels of oil and save FPL customers approximately $178 million in fuel costs over the facility’s estimated 30-year lifetime.

“Energy security is critical to our national security. FPL’s new hybrid solar facility is an important piece of an all-of-the-above energy solution, and I’m glad to see our state is once again leading the way toward a more secure energy future for Florida and America,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16).

The center officially went into operation in November of 2010 and is the third of several large-scale solar projects completed by FPL in the past two years. Combined, the three solar plants deliver 110 megawatts of energy to Floridians. In addition, FPL is already planning another 500 MW of solar power projects for the state in upcoming months.

Electricity, Energy, Natural Gas, Solar

New Study – More Ethanol Commitment Needed to Meet RFS2

Joanna Schroeder

In a new study from Air Improvement Resource, Inc. (AIR) commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) can be met with ethanol if more infrastructure is put into place. In addition, more flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are needed. The report concludes that if “blender pumps” are made available at nearly one-third of the approximately 162,000 gas stations in the U.S., and if automakers honor and expand their commitment to produce FFVs, the majority of RFS2 requirements can be met with ethanol alone.

“Achieving the goals of the RFS2 and giving Americans more control over their energy future can be done with smart policies and targeted investment that expand ethanol refueling infrastructure and use,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “In a climate of fiscal concerns, this report demonstrates that we can meaningfully expand the ethanol market, reduce our reliance on imported oil, and create jobs without breaking the bank. Addressing the infrastructure needs of America’s renewable fuels policy cannot be based on a wish list. It must be grounded in sound research and analysis that identifies policy needs and the needs of the marketplace. This report clearly highlights part of the path forward.”

The AIR study examines 27 future scenarios regarding available ethanol volumes, FFV availability, ethanol use in non-FFVs, and the availability and location of blender pumps and/or E85 pumps. Based on the results of the scenarios, certain conclusions were drawn about the role ethanol can play in meeting the RFS2, which requires the use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022.

However, there are concerns growing that RFS2 goals will not be met, in part due to several anti-ethanol amendments in the Continuing Resolution that were passed by the House several weeks ago designed to “balance the federal budget”. The amendments inhibit the EPA from rolling out E15 and also disallow government funds to be used to install blender pumps and ethanol infrastructure such as ethanol pipelines.

According to RFA, expanding the use of ethanol will take a multi-pronged approach. Recently the EPA approved the used of E15 for conventional cars and light duty trucks model year 2001 or newer could help to grow the market for ethanol to 20 billion gallons over the next several years. However, RFA notes that even if E15 is ultimately approved for use in all conventional vehicles, meeting long-term RFS2 requirements will require the use of mid-level blends of ethanol higher than E15 (so fuel blends that contain more than 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline). Read More

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Research, RFA

Propane Ford E-Series Vans Recieves CARB Approval

Joanna Schroeder

ROUSH CleanTech’s propane Ford E-Series passenger and cargo vans have been granted California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification status. With the strictest emission standards in the country, all vehicles have to have CARB approval before they can be sold and operated on California roads. Once CARB gives its stamp of approval, many other states follow suit.

“This is truly exciting news for the ROUSH CleanTech team and our customers,” said Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “CARB certification is that final nod of approval needed to launch a full line of clean burning propane-autogas-powered passenger and cargo vans to fleet managers in California and other states, who have been eagerly awaiting the availability of our cost-effective alternative fuel solution.”

With CARB approval ROUSH can now sell Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vans with propane technology. As such, Prime Time Shuttle, a ground transportation company that serves Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), will be incorporating the newly certified vans into their fleet. The company has 15 vans ready to go and will add another 35-40 over the next several months with its full fleet of 175 vans replaced with propane autogas technology within two years.

“We like what we see at ROUSH CleanTech,” said Rattan Joea, president of Prime Time Shuttle. “We’ve wanted to add the autogas E-series vans for quite some time, but needed CARB certification to seal the deal. We can’t wait to show our customers our commitment to a healthier environment with a reliable fleet of alternative fueled vans and shuttles, engineered with racing legend Jack Roush’s dedication to superior automotive products.”

The vans have already received air quality and emission approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently, the van was recognized with the “Propane Hero” award given to SuperShuttle for formidable performance as an alternative fuel vehicle at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Propane