OPEL Solar Selected for Solar PV Project

Joanna Schroeder

The Town of Newtown, located in Connecticut, will soon be the home of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) project. The city’s waste water treatment facility (Newton Facility) is installing a 95 kilowatt (kW) solar system using technology developed by OPEL Solar International. The project received a $320,000 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) to help cover the cost for the solar farm, and OPEL Solar was selected through a competitive public bid process with the Town of Newtown.

The solar project includes OPEL Solar’s TF-800 single axis trackers along with PV panels manufactured in the U.S. by Grape Solar, Inc. According to OPEL Solar, their single axis trackers allow for higher energy production for each PV panel. This translates to less cost per kWh than conventional fixed-panel solar systems. It is estimated that for the Newtown Facility, the OPEL Solar tracker system will increase the project’s energy production approximately 28 percent. The flexibility in design of the OPEL Solar tracker product line allows it to be matched with any type of solar panel technology, providing greater efficiency and a competitive edge for panel vendors and as well greater layout flexibility for integrators and engineering firms.

“We are excited that the Town of Newtown selected our advanced trackers for this critical municipally-owned facility, and we are proud of the fact that this installation serves to validate our decision to pursue the municipal market in order to benefit the public with clean solar energy,” said Leon M. Pierhal, CEO of OPEL Solar. “It pleases OPEL to know that the TF800 trackers contributed positively to the Town’s receipt of this significant grant award from the State of Connecticut. We believe the increased energy output from our trackers provides a great match to other facilities similar to Newtown’s waste water treatment plant.”

E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman of the Town of Newtown, added, “Newtown’s evaluation process was greatly simplified by OPEL Solar offering the lowest cost option, the best energy production and the most advanced solar technology of all the bids received for this installation. This is a leading edge project for Newtown in our continuing efforts to move our Town toward greener options and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Thailand to Use UC Riverside Biofuel Technology

Joanna Schroeder

A national laboratory in Thailand has signed an agreement that will allow them to produce biofuels using the University of California, Riverside’s process to convert biomass and agricultural wastes into fuel. The project is a collaboration between the UC Riverside Bourns College of Engineering and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. The work will focus on utilizing steam hydro gasification as a means to convert the biomass into fuel. This is a thermal chemical process that turns carbon-based materials into “drop-in” fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

“It’s really an exciting project because Thailand is showcasing the UCR technology,“ said Joseph Norbeck, a professor emeritus at UC Riverside. “It’s a showcase for all of Asia.”

Norbeck, along with Dr. Chan Park and his students have led the development of steam hydro gasification at the College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). The steam hydro gasification process was recently determined by the U.S. Department of Energy to be the most efficient and least capital intensive of all gasification processes.

The duration of the partnership is currently set for three years and will allow an exchange of researchers to execute the research, an exchange of information and publications relating to the research, advice on related technology, implementation of cooperative research and joint publication of the research.

Norbeck has been working with researchers in Thailand for more than 15 years. The relationship has spawned several other collaborations between UC Riverside and Thai researchers including some work studying algae as a biofuel.

The agreement was signed on Monday with UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White. Also present from Thailand were Sutiporn Chewasatn, deputy governor of Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research and Chanchira Sinoulchan, foreign relations officer with the institute.

Reza Abbaschian, dean of the Bourns College of Engineering added, “It is critical to our mission that we be engaged with institutions and researchers throughout the world. Developing and sharing new knowledge across cultures and among nations ensures that we solve problems on a global as well as regional scale.”

biofuels, biojet fuel, biomass, International

Biomass Conference Kicks Off in St. Louis

Cindy Zimmerman

The International Biomass Conference is being held this week at the America’s Center in St. Louis.

Domestic Fuel will be there Tuesday morning for the plenary session that starts with a keynote address from Dr. Richard Newell, Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration, who recently testified during a Senate Ag Committee Hearing on high gas prices and the role agriculture may play in developing energy sources for America.

That will be followed by an industry roundtable: Our Industry in a Changed Political Landscape. The panel will include Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen, National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe, Algal Biomass Organization Executive Director Mary Rosenthal, Advanced Biofuels Association president Michael McAdams, Charlie Niebling with the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, Biomass Power Association CEO Robert Cleaves and Norma McDonald of the American Biogas Council.

Questions for the panel can be submitted via email.

Biodiesel, biomass, NBB, RFA

Study – Ethanol Saves Consumers 25 Cents at Pump

Joanna Schroeder

cardAccording to a new study released today by Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin, in 2010, on average the use of ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of .89 cents per gallon. The research was conducted by a number of economists and released by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) and is an update to a 2009 Energy Policy paper authored by professors Dermot Hayes and Xiaodong Du. The paper, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), also found that the growth in ethanol production reduced gasoline prices by an average of $0.25, or 16 percent while it was even more significant in the Midwest with an average price per gallon reduction of .39 cents.

“This study confirms that ethanol is playing a tremendously important role in holding down volatile gasoline prices, which are currently inching closer to all-time record highs,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “As rising oil prices are contributing to higher retail costs for everything from gas to food to clothing, ethanol is clearly providing some real relief for American families.”

The CARD study also showed that the impact of ethanol on gasoline prices in 2010 was even more significant than the average over the past decade. “In 2010 alone, ethanol reduced the average American household’s gasoline bill by more than $800,” said Dinneen. The number was derived from using data published by the Federal Highway Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Energy. The organizations show that the average household consumed 900 gallons of gasoline at an average price of $2.74 per gallon in 2010. That means the average family’s annual gasoline bill was $2,470, but it would have been closer to $3,270 without ethanol.

Also examined was the impact of removing ethanol from the fuel supply. Today ethanol represents approximately 10 percent of the supply and the authors found that “Under a very wide range of parameters, the estimated gasoline price increase would be of historic proportions, ranging from 41% to 92%.” At today’s prices, that means gasoline prices would increase from roughly $4 per gallon to $5.60-$7.70 per gallon.

The authors point out that this dramatic price increase would stem from the fact that “…the ethanol industry now provides approximately 10% of the gasoline used in automobiles, an amount that exceeds the spare capacity of US oil refineries.” If ethanol suddenly disappeared, they say “[the] ‘missing’ fuel would have to be imported in the short run, and the required volume would be large relative to available import supplies. The only way to solve this short-term supply problem would be to use high gasoline prices to ration demand.”

Dinneen concluded this finding alone should serve as a wake-up call to those who are seeking to reduce or eliminate the role of ethanol in the U.S. energy market at a time when oil markets are increasingly volatile.

biofuels, Ethanol, Research, RFA

ICM Deploys Its Biomass Gasification System

Joanna Schroeder

ICM has announced that it is beginning commercial deployment of its biomass gasification system after the successful completion of infrastructure development, research, testing, and an independent engineering review. The company began operating its commercial scale demonstration gasifer back in 2009. The technology has the capacity to covert 150 tons of biomass per day to a syngas that can then be used a a fuel for industrial power and heating applications.

“We’re extremely pleased to announce the commercialization of our gasifier technology. We believe that ICM’s past experience in delivering technology to the renewable energy sector, coupled with our favorable reputation with lenders, makes the ICM gasification technology an extremely valuable and rare option for clients seeking gasification technology solutions,” said Dave Vander Griend, President and CEO of ICM.

Since 2009, ICM has successfully tested more than 13 feedstocks, processed 7,000 tons of biomass, and amassed more than 2,100 hours of operation. The various feedstocks tested include refuse-derived fuel (RDF) generated from municipal solid waste (MSW), tire-derived fuel (TDF) mixed with RDF, wood chips, pine bark, wheat straw, corn stover, chicken litter, switchgrass, automobile shredded residue (ASR) mixed with RDF, and other biomass/energy crops.

“It was critically important for ICM to invest heavily in a commercial-scale demonstration unit to prove the feedstock-flexible capabilities of this robust technology, which dates back to 1975, as well as to give potential customers and lenders the comfort and reassurance they need to finance waste-to-energy and biomass-to-energy projects,” added Tom Ranallo, Vice President of Operations for ICM.

In addition to producing syngas, ICM’s biomass gasification platform also has the ability to co-produce biochar, a type of charcoal, that has the ability to store carbon dioxide in the soil for thousands of years when buried.

biomass, Company Announcement, Energy, Ethanol, feedstocks, Waste-to-Energy

Creating a Downstream Market for Algae Products

Joanna Schroeder

“When we embarked on this project three years ago, we thought by the time we reached commercial scale, like we have today, there would be plenty of demand for algae biomass to produce these products,” said Todd Becker, CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) during the dedication of BioProcess Algae’s Grower Harvester bioreactors. This dedication signaled the last stage to commercialization for algae fuels and by-products as part of the partnership between the two companies that was forged several years ago.

“All we wanted to do was become the farmer of this product and grow and harvest algae. What we have discovered is that we’ve moved faster than the downstream markets have developed,” said Becker.

The event was held in Shenandoah, Iowa, the home of the only co-located first and advanced biofuels plant and also the former headquarters of GPRE before growing and moving to Omaha. Today, GPRE is publicly traded, is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the U.S and owns and operates nine ethanol plants in six states. Directly employing nearly 600 people, the company expects revenues for 2011 to reach the $3 billion mark.

But maybe why GPRE is so excited about this project, is that they are demonstrating to the world that carbon has value. “What this represents is a true intersection between first generation technologies and advanced technology. What we are showing today to the world is not only does carbon have value, but carbon and other by-products from this ethanol plant, like warm water and heat, can create a product that will give Americans food, feed and fuel,” said Becker.

GPRE and BioProcess Algae have discovered as they reach commercial stage, that they will have to help create the markets for algae fuels and by-products. This month, they are beginning feed trails with Iowa State University that they hope will show the value of a high protein animal product for animal feed. In addition, they are looking to produce products for the food markets including antioxidants, pigments, Omega-3s, and protein. In the energy markets, they are looking at producing biodiesel, a biocrude product as well as producing ethanol from the algae.

So what is the vision of the project? Becker concluded, “It’s still very early days of the technology, but if successful, our vision is to create a process that captures carbon dioxide from every ethanol plant in the United States, use that input to grow and harvest algae, reduce the production plant’s carbon footprint from neutral to negative, and takes the output from the reactors, the algae, and produces next generation fuels, ethanol and energy.”

Click here to view the Flickr photo album from the BioProcess Algae/GPRE Grower Harvester event.

algae, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Video

RFA Says Ethanol Helps Gas Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

RFAThe latest average cost for a gallon of gas nationwide, as reported by AAA, is $3.88, but it would already be $4.00 a gallon without ten percent ethanol.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), based on current market conditions and federal renewable fuels policy, 10 percent ethanol blends (E10) are keeping gasoline prices $0.12 per gallon cheaper than they otherwise would be.

Ethanol Report PodcastI talked with RFA Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper who explains the math behind that calculation (which you can also find on the RFA website) and how the 45 cent per gallon tax credit creates additional savings at the pump for consumers in this edition of “The Ethanol Report.”

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report on gas prices here: Ethanol Report on Gas Prices

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA

Royal Wedding Car Runs on 85 Percent Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The Dukemobile is an FFV!

dukemobileNever thought there would be a biofuels angle to the Royal Wedding, but as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Buckingham Palace for the royal residence Clarence House, they drove off in a “convertible Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII in Seychelles blue is owned by his father HRH The Prince of Wales” that runs on 85 percent ethanol.

“In June 2008, at the specific request of The Prince of Wales, who is keen that his cars should be run on sustainable fuel, the Aston Martin was converted to run on E85 bioethanol, made from English wine wastage,” reads the update on the Royal Wedding website.

They even have a Royal Wedding YouTube video of the couple leaving in the car:

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Video

Gevo & Mustang Engineering to Produce BioJet Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

Gevo has signed an engineering and consulting agreement with Mustang Engineering LP (Mustang) to convert Gevo’s renewable isobutanol to biojet fuel. The first step will be to focus on the downstream processing of isobutanol to kerosene (jet fuel) and from there to test the fuel in jet engines as well as in commercial planes.

“Our work with Mustang is another important step in the development of our biojet fuel business and Mustang is an ideal partner to advance our efforts in this important market,” said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo.”Their refining and chemicals industries engineering and project management expertise will help us bring an integrated, turnkey solution to the refining industry.”

Gevo has also disclosed that its “fit for purpose” testing at the Air Force Research Laboratory continues and they anticipate releasing a final report in June. Once this “fit to purpose” testing has been completed successfully Gevo will begin jet engine testing with various engine manufacturers.

“The advent of the jet fuel carbon tax on international flights landing in the European Union is motivating the airline industry and fuel suppliers to seek cost-effective, renewable alternatives to petroleum jet fuel,” said Scott Baker, executive vice president of Mustang’s Process Plants and Industrial business unit. “Mustang is excited about this opportunity to further support Gevo in the development of the next generation of alternative fuels. The processing steps required to make this bio-jet fuel lend themselves well to integration into refineries and petrochemical facilities.”

biofuels, biojet fuel, isobutanol

Algaepalooza to Look for Green Source for Biodiesel

John Davis

Scientists in the St. Louis, Missouri area are hoping to get some help from local residents in finding the ideal algae to turn into biodiesel.

During the upcoming 2nd annual Algaepalooza, held Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10am to 4pm in the Life Science Lab at the Saint Louis Science Center, people will be able to pick up algae-collecting kits as part of the Backyard Biofuels citizen science research project:

Last year, 1,000 families and individuals were given collection kits, and approximately 170 samples were cultured in the Life Science Lab to isolate individual algae species that produce oil. More than 100 of those isolated strains were sent to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Danforth Plant Science Center, where they were tested for how much oil could be made and used for biofuel production. Those that showed promise are undergoing additional tests.

“Ten samples from last year’s algae gave high readings of oil production. Such encouraging results wouldn’t be possible without the help of citizen scientists.” said Matthew Stevens, senior lab technician at the Danforth Plant Science Center who conducts the research for the Backyard Biofuels program. “This year we have a goal to identify an algae species that boast better oil productivity than last year.”

And since folks will have the option of mailing in their collection kits, organizers expect more samples this year.

Algaepalooza gives visitors the chance to talk with the research scientists behind the project and learn why algae have the potential to be a sustainable source of fuel used to power cars, trucks and jet airplanes. More information is available at backyardbiofuels.org.

algae, Biodiesel