ACE Conference 2026

May Deadline for Biomass Crop Assistance

Cindy Zimmerman

May 27 is the deadline for proposals to be submitted under USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

bcapThe program, which is administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides incentives to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners for the establishment and production of biomass crops for heat, power, bio-based products and biofuels. FSA Acting Administrator Val Dolcini announced the deadline for submitting project area proposals. “The nation that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century. BCAP can help rural communities save money, create jobs and improve air quality while reducing the demand for fossil fuels,” said Dolcini. “I encourage all those interested in participating in this program to contact their Farm Service Agency (FSA) state office for details.”

BCAP project areas are specific geographic areas where producers grow eligible biomass crops. Producers then receive annual payments for growing those crops. To be considered, proposals must be submitted to the applicable state office by close of business, May 27, 2011. More information can be found on the FSA BCAP web page.

biomass, USDA

Twin Cities Clean City Coalition Top Gas Use Reducer

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Energy has released a national ranking of Clean Cities programs that have had the most impact in the reduction of gasoline use. At the top of the list is the Saint-Paul-based Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition. The group has been instrumental in a reduction of 135,175,133 cumulative gallons of gas displaced between 2005-2009. The release was actually part of a move by the DOE to help accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs). As part of the program, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the availability of $5 million in new funding for community-based efforts to deploy electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations.

“The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative is bringing together local governments and industry to demonstrate the benefits of advanced technology vehicles and help communities use less oil and gasoline to power their vehicles,” said Secretary Chu. “The initiatives announced today are just the latest steps in our broader efforts to reduce America’s dependence on oil, improve our energy security, and save families and businesses money.”

Much of Minnesota’s efforts to reduce gas use has focused on the use of higher blends of ethanol including E85. The state has more than 360 E85 pumps and was the first to pass a 5 percent biodiesel blend mandate. The cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Brooklyn Park were early adopters of alternative fuel vehicles, as were Hennepin, Dakota and Ramsey counties. The state fleet includes 2,500 flex fuel vehicles that can use E85 or gasoline that used nearly 1 million gallons of E85 in 2010.

“We are very pleased to see the hard work of our many partner organizations reflected in our number one ranking,” said Lisa Thurstin, manager of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association in Minnesota, which administers the Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition. “The ranking was determined based on the amount of E85, biodiesel, natural gas, propane and other cleaner-burning alternative fuels reported by each Clean Cities coalition to the Department of Energy.”

The EV program was announced during a call with Chu, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, and St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E85, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Natural Gas, Propane

BIO Releases Policy White Paper

Joanna Schroeder

The Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference is underway in Washington, D.C. and more than 400 senior level executives are in attendance to learn more about the trends in the advanced biofuels industry. During the Conference, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released a new policy white paper that determined the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) provides both stable market support and a pricing system (through Renewable Identification Numbers or RINs) that are necessary to attract private investment in the advanced biofuels industry. The paper is also being published this month in the journal, Industrial Biotechnology.

“The Renewable Fuel Standard, as it has been implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, can provide the long-term, stable, market-based government policy mechanism that advanced biofuel producers and investors have been looking for. It provides both and assured market and a significant degree of price certainty for cellulosic and advanced biofuels, which can significantly mitigate the capital risk associated with commercialization of new technologies,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section.

Erickson notes that the RFS is very effective for incentivizing biofuels innovation. He said that with this policy, companies have already made significant investments in research and development. He continued by highlighting the amount of good jobs and positive economic opportunities that the industry provides and then went on to stress that federal support must continue in order for the industry to realize commercial scale production levels. Today, many of these investments are seeing fruition in that several companies in the industry are beginning to make major commercialization announcements.

“Access to capital remains the biggest challenge for the industry, especially as high oil prices threaten to plunge the country into another recession. The RFS must work in coordination with other federal programs administered by the USDA and DOE to provide the industry, its investors and obligated parties needed stability and forward-looking guidance. This paper should reassure capital markets that advanced biofuels represent a sound opportunity. And coupled with the recent USDA loan guarantees and DOE grants the advanced biofuels sector should experience a surge in 2011 and beyond,” concluded Erickson.

You can view photos from the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in my Flickr photo album.

advanced biofuels, BIO, biochemicals, biofuels, conferences

Iowa State Develops Biodiesel, Ethanol Plant Simulator

John Davis

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a simulator that allows them to replicate all the functions of biodiesel and ethanol plants.

According to this article from the school, the I-BOS (the Interactive Biorefinery Operations Simulator) will help students in Iowa State’s biorenewable resources and technology program learn about biofuel production, as well as helping the biofuel industry train employees:

“This could be the major component of a curriculum for teaching biofuels operators how to run a plant,” [David Grewell, an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering] said. “It’s like a flight simulator for pilots.”

And like a good flight simulator, the virtual control room is calibrated to match real-world performance. It’s based on differential calculations that describe the fundamental transport phenomena and incorporate the principles of mass and energy conservation. The simulations also take into account more than 20 specific production attributes including moisture, starch content, contaminants, temperature and particle size. All the attributes change as biomass is converted into biofuel. And they can be changed by instructors, giving students experience with a variety of production conditions.

The virtual control room is now written to simulate the operation of ethanol and biodiesel plants. It keeps track of energy consumption, production efficiency and fuel quality. It also features interactive video clips from real biofuel plants that give students a good look at the entire production process.

Grewell says the simulator will also help operators in case of an emergency at the plant.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Avjet Biotech, NC State Ink Deal for Aviation Biofuels

John Davis

A company that develops 10-15 million gallon per year refining systems has signed a deal with North Carolina State University to use the school’s technology for producing biofuels from triglycerides (fats) and for producing products from genetically modified marine microalgae.

Avjet Biotech, Inc. (ABI), parent company of Red Wolf Refining, will use the technology to make aviation biofuels:

“We are delighted to have completed a license agreement with NC State following several months of discussions with the university on its advanced biofuel research,” said Marty Oliver, president of ABI. “We anticipate a major biofuel refining model will be the result of this landmark deal.”

“When I learned what NC State was accomplishing with its biofuels program, and what its ultimate goals were, I knew this project was deserving of financial support to further its research,” said Don Evans, chairman and CEO of ABI. “This agreement is a major piece in our plan to provide aviation biofuels internationally that will benefit the aviation industry world-wide.”

“Following talks with the management of Avjet Biotech, I am happy to announce that we have arrived at an agreement that favors all parties involved,” said Dr. Terry Bray, senior licensing associate at NC State’s Office of Technology Transfer. “On behalf of the university, we look forward to our continuing involvement with Avjet.”

Red Wolf Refining uses a thermal catalytic process to refine any triglyceride into aviation biofuels and promotes itself as “dedicated to supporting the U.S. military in its goal to eliminate dependence on foreign oil.”

algae, biofuels

Causes of Higher Food Prices

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What causes higher food prices?” Most people responding seem to believe it’s a combination of factors – 47%. That’s followed by higher gas/energy costs at 23%, speculators at 18%, ethanol at 9% and weather at 3%. I wonder how the response would compare to an audience for a general news website like Fox or CNN. It sure doesn’t look like biofuels like ethanol are considered to be at fault. However, if you consider it to be a combination of factors, what would those be? Feel free to leave a comment.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How do farmers compare in social media use?” Let us know what you think and thanks for your your participation.

And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.

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

Energy, food and fuel, Food prices, ZimmPoll

“Gashole” Offers Biodiesel as Part of Energy Solution

John Davis

A new film released this week offers biodiesel as part of the solution for this country’s energy woes.

The documentary “Gashole” (gotta love the name!), according to reviews and trailers, sees the green fuel as David taking on the petroleum Goliath.

One of the reviews from Variety posted on the film’s website:

Conspiracy theorizing, though, is kept to a relative minimum as contempo interviewees — from economic historian Les Manns to “biodiesel fuel consumer” and “Dawson’s Creek” alum Joshua Jackson — help sketch the century-old rapacity of Standard Oil and the increasingly incestuous relations between auto and oil industries. Coming across as a George Clooney-in-training, Jackson smartly acknowledges Big Oil’s basic moneymaking agenda while accusing price-gouging corporations of exploiting working people and doing undue damage to both environment and economy.

Check it out!

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Part of Army’s Sustainability Scorecard

John Davis

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance, and biodiesel is part of the goals in this scorecard.

This Army press release says the service is identifying the best ways to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs, and testing the green fuel in the Corps’ floating plant fleet is part of that plan:

“This scorecard serves as an important tool to help us develop targets to reduce waste and increase efficiency in our operations,” said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), USACE’s Sustainability Officer. “We are now armed with data to know where we are so that we can address areas needing improvement, and to expand on successes.”

USACE is on its way to meeting goals to decrease energy, potable water and fleet petroleum use; incorporate sustainable building practices; and increase renewable energy use at USACE-owned facilities. USACE’s progress thus far in meeting energy and sustainability goals includes: development of the USACE comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories for FY08 (baseline) and FY10; incorporating federal sustainability and energy metrics into the USACE Strategic Management System to provide commanders throughout USACE a dashboard tool to track their sustainability performance; apportioning of USACE Scope 1&2 GHG reduction targets so Major Subordinate Commanders have a clear understanding of the GHG reductions they are required to achieve; completion of biodiesel testing in several vessels in the USACE floating plant fleet; and completion of facility energy and water evaluations at five of the USACE’s most energy intensive facilities.

The USACE says it needs to increase the amount of renewable energy it uses. That can be achieved by implementing all Federal, DoD, and Army policies and regulations that promote green energy and by educating staff about environmentally friendly practices.

Biodiesel, Government

USDA & EPA Tour REG Biodiesel Plant in Newton, IA

Joanna Schroeder

Renewable Energy Group (REG) executives hosted USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President’s energy independence goals. Also on hand for the event were representatives from Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and POET. Both companies have advanced biofuels projects located in Iowa and are working with REG to develop symbiotic efficiencies and products between the various forms of biofuels. Vilsack and Jackson along with local and regional members of their teams, engaged in both a briefing session highlighting the role biofuels play, including new technological advances in the industry, as well as a biodiesel plant tour.

REG President and COO, Daniel Oh, opened the roundtable discussion: “We applaud Secretary Vilsack and Administrator Jackson for their roles in implementing energy independence and clean air programs focused on enhancing advanced biofuels production and utilization. We appreciate our partners in the ethanol industry, Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, and Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy for joining us in highlighting the opportunities and challenges in the biodiesel and ethanol industries.”

The biofuel leaders highlighted the importance of continuous process advancement for creating new opportunities. As the group headed to see REG’s 30 million gallon per year biorefinery, Oh said, “Our production facility is proof that next‐generation advanced biofuel is commercially-available today. Our Newton biorefinery is supporting 23 full‐time green collar jobs, regional economic development and Iowa agriculture.

While on the tour, REG showcased the wide variety of raw materials it uses to produce biodiesel and highlighted one of the industry’s more recent feedstocks, inedible corn oil, which is an emerging co-product from the ethanol industry and also an emerging feedstock to create biodiesel. Less than two weeks ago, POET announced it’s new corn oil product, VOILA, and plans to install the technology at all 27 of its plants. REG has been working with corn oil since 2007.

While at REG’s facility, Jackson was impressed with how the biofuel industry has evolved. She noted the industry has not stood still and has continually adapted. She highlighted the biodiesel industry’s recognition that they needed to change and diversify its feedstocks and acknowledged their accomplishments in this arena.

Vilsack agreed and added that the industry has showcased continued success and continued innovation and commended both the agricultural industry and biofuels industry for always stepping up to plate. He concluded that the industry has never let the country down and will rise once again to meet the country’s and the world’s food, fuel and fiber challenges.

Click here to see photos from the USDA/EPA REG biodiesel plant briefing and tour.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, REG, USDA

Dynamic Solar Completes PA Solar Project

Joanna Schroeder

The Philadelphia Water Department now has a 250kW solar system complements of Dynamic Solar, LLC. The solar company partnered with CETCO Contracting Services and Nucero Electric to design, engineer and install the ground mounted solar system. The solar array is located at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant and is expected to generated, per year, 330,000 killowatt hours of energy.

“This solar system will be producing clean renewable energy for years to come,” said Mike Perillo, President and CEO of Dynamic Solar. “The City of Philadelphia is setting an example for Pennsylvania in seizing this opportunity to meet the state’s growing demand for energy with solar.”

The Philadelphia Water Department system will displace approximately 220 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. This is equivalent to replacing 1,075 vehicles from Pennsylvania’s roads over the system’s 25-year warranted period.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter is expected to participate in a dedication ceremony on April 25, 2011.

Electricity, Energy, Solar