2011 Emerging Issues Forum Set for April 7th & 8th

Joanna Schroeder

Save the date. Nebraska Ethanol Board’s (NEB) 2011 Emerging Issues Forum is set for April 7-8, 2011 in Omaha, Nebraska. The event is being held at the Magnolia hotel. While the agenda is still coming together and registration is not yet open (but soon), confirmed speakers already include:

  • • Jan Koninckx, Global Business Director-Biofuels, DuPont: Fuel production opportunities for the corn ethanol sector
    • Douglas Durante, Executive Director, Clean Fuels Development Coalition: Legislative policies impacting FFVs and the Blend Wall
    • Dave Vander Griend, president, ICM: Improving ethanol value in emerging markets
    • Steffen Mueller, University of Illinois at Chicago: Low Carbon Fuels Standards and RFS2 Compliance
    • Alvaro Cordero, Manager of International Grains Operations, U.S. Grains Council: Corn and DDDGs demand and export marketing
    • Ron Lamberty, Market Development Director, American Coalition for Ethanol: Blender pump market development strategies

Past years have shown this forum to be informational and timely. To sign-up for forum updates and to be alerted when online registration opens, click here.

conferences, Ethanol

Biodiesel Equipment Online Auction Continues to Feb. 18

John Davis

Just a reminder that the online auction of some brand new equipment for biodiesel production continues through 5 PM EST this Friday, February 18th, 2011.

Maas Companies of Rochester, Minnesota, a specialist in selling ethanol and biodiesel plants and related equipment, is helping Sustainable Energy sell its 600 Tons/Day Hexane Extraction Equipment through the ONLINE ONLY auction.

The equipment, made by Crown Iron Works, was for a plant expansion but was never installed.

Tyler Maas, Sales & Marketing Director states, “The on-line timed auction offers this equipment to a new buyer at a significant savings over new construction. During tighter economic times, a savings on equipment can enhance a plant’s bottom line.”

Buyers will submit bids via Proxibid and supply the seller with a $50,000 deposit. Full and final payment is due no later February 22. The equipment will need to be loaded and removed from the site by the end of the month.

More information is available through the auction’s website.

Biodiesel

Hangin’ With Some Next Gen Biodiesel Scientists

Joanna Schroeder

During the National Biodiesel Board Conference (NBB) last week, I had the opportunity to hang out with some “Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel“. There were 10 in attendance at this year’s conference and the two that I spent time with were Evan Le, a senior studying mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada and Lucas Ellis, in a graduate Biochemical Engineering program at Dartmouth and a co-chair of Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel.

I asked Le how he became involved in biodiesel and he said that it was actually a lot of professors pushing him in that direction and a lot of minor biodiesel projects in the courses he took that got him on his way. Eventually, his senior design project was to design a biodiesel project and he chose to focus on algae. This is when he truly discovered there is a lot of potential in biodiesel and he wanted to be one of the scientists who helps unlock this potential.

Le has just begun in career as a biodiesel scientist. He is going to spend the next two years working at Sandia National Laboratory where he will continue working with algae. He wants to focus on research on how to scale up algal biofuels from pilot to commercial scale. Today, he says, it takes too much energy to produce algal biofuels so they are not commercially viable. From there, he plans on working towards in Ph.D. in biodiesel.

While Le is focusing on algal biofuels, Lucas Ellis is actually focusing on cellulosic biofuels in his graduate program at Dartmouth, but he too is very interested in algae. However, he doesn’t feel that cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel compete, but rather are two complementary technologies that both have roles in energy production. Ellis also feels that the skills he is developing researching cellulosic ethanol, are the same skills needed to research and develop advanced biodiesel.

Ellis also fell into biodiesel, per se, while in his undergraduate program and once he got the biodiesel bug, it stayed with him. So when he was given the opportunity to become involved with Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel, he jumped at the chance. Although the organization is relatively young with 30 founding members, they have a declaration that has been signed by more than a 1,000 budding biodiesel scientists around the world dedicating their careers to researching and developing the next technologies for advanced biofuels.

While at the conference, the 10 next gen biodiesel scientists met with various biodiesel mentors during a luncheon where students and professionals alike shared their ideas and visions for the future of biodiesel.

You can listen to my full interview with Evan and Lucas here: Interview with Evan & Lucas

2011 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

algae, Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, Cellulosic, NBB

GE Buys Technology to Build Bigger Wind Towers

John Davis

General Electric has acquired technology that will help it build taller wind towers.

This company press release says this next generation technology from Wind Tower Systems, LLC (WTS) is necessary as wind turbine blades have been getting longer:

WTS has been working on the development of the space frame tower system technology for use at wind farm sites that require hub heights of 100 meters or more. The space frame tower technology is a highly engineered and optimized structure that will handle the unique static and dynamic loads generated by wind turbines.

WTS also has been developing innovative ways to transport and install these taller wind turbine towers. The space frame technology will use standard flatbed trucks. Hi Jack system technology can eliminate the need for heavy lift cranes during installation. These new technologies offer the ability to cost effectively extend the tower height, which in turn enables the turbine to produce more energy.

“We see great potential in the addition of this technology to our portfolio not only for our customers but also for the wind industry as a whole,” said Victor Abate, vice president-renewable energy for GE Power & Water. “Taller towers are an essential complement to longer blades. Longer blades capture more energy and in turn improve return on investment for wind farm developers.”

GE officials say the taller towers will help lower wind energy costs. The company will be testing the new tower later this year with plans to make it commercially available by next year.

Wind

Canadian Biodiesel Mandate to Start July 1st

John Davis

All diesel fuel in Canada … for heating and transportation … will be required to have at least a 2 percent blend starting July 1, 2011.

This article from Reuters says this requirement joins the country’s 5 percent renewable content in gasoline:

Industry and investors had grown impatient waiting for word on the proposed regulatory change for diesel. The government said it needed proof from demonstration projects that biodiesel could perform under Canadian conditions before it set a start date.

The combined renewable fuel requirements will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4 megatonnes, the government said, equivalent to taking 1 million vehicles off the road.

Currently, Canada produces about 200 million litres (52 million gallons) of biodiesel annually. It will need about 550 million litres (145 million gallons) to meet government quotas.

“This is a milestone day for homegrown renewable biodiesel in Canada,” Canadian Renewable Fuels Association president Gordon Quaiattini said.

“It will help moderate price by adding to our fuel supply, create new jobs, and benefit farmers and drivers alike.”

The mandate could end up being a boon for the U.S. biodiesel industry. Right now, about 75 percent of biodiesel produced in Canada is sent to America. But with the new mandate, more of that will have to stay home, and possibly, the Canadians might have to get some biodiesel from their friends to the south to meet the requirement.

Biodiesel, Government, International

USDA Deregulates Corn Trait for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

SyngentaSyngenta Seeds announced today it has received full deregulation from USDA for corn amylase (Event 3272), the first corn output trait designed to help ethanol industry become more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly.

According to a company release, Syngenta Seeds plans to sell corn containing Event 3272 under the “Enogen” seed brand. “Enogen corn is a breakthrough product that provides ethanol producers a proven means to create more value per gallon while offering targeted corn growers an opportunity to cultivate a premium specialty crop in a contracted, closed production system,” said David Morgan, president of Syngenta Seeds. “Also, Enogen corn can substantially reduce the energy and water consumed and the carbon emissions associated with ethanol production.”

The Enogen corn amylase trait is the first genetically modified output trait in corn for the ethanol industry. By enabling expression of an optimized alpha-amylase enzyme directly in corn, the Enogen trait improves dry grind ethanol production in a way that can be easily integrated into an ethanol production plant’s existing infrastructure. Further, Enogen corn is another innovative product that can provide the right growers more choice for their farms and help keep rural communities strong.

“The adoption of Enogen grain by U.S. ethanol producers can unleash a cascade of efficiency and environmental benefits industry wide,” said Morgan. For example, in a 100-million gallon plant, efficiency improvements enabled by Enogen grain can save 450,000 gallons of water, 1.3 million KWh of electricity and 244 billion BTUs of natural gas, the equivalent power to heat several thousand homes while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 106 million pounds.

Enogen grain has been tested extensively at Western Plains Energy (WPE), in Oakley, KS. The most visible result for WPE has been an eight percent increase in ethanol production combined with an eight percent reduction in natural gas consumption. “What that means for us is more profits, with less expense,” said general manager and CEO Steve McNinch, “And there are no ‘gotchas’ for the plant either.”

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

USDA Changes to Rules to Help Biofuels

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has changed some of its rules that will help the bifuels industries, and, in turn, help create jobs in rural America and increase the production and use of renewable energy.

The changes will allow non-rural areas to get funding and remove prior citizenship requirements for borrowers under the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels:

Biorefinery Assistance Program:
This program supports the development and construction of commercial-scale biorefineries and the retrofit of existing facilities using eligible technologies. The changes increase the maximum loan guarantee percentage in certain circumstances; add “refinancing” as an eligible project purpose under certain conditions.

Repowering Assistance Program:
The program makes payments to eligible biorefineries to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide heat or power in the operation of the biorefineries. These payments are provided to biorefineries that were in existence when the Farm Bill was enacted. The changes allow participating biorefineries to request and receive reimbursement payments for eligible project costs during construction and require that the applicant provide information on any biobased product produced at the facility. This is in addition to providing information on biofuel production.

Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels:
Under this program, USDA Rural Development enters into contracts with advanced biofuel producers to pay them for the production of eligible advanced biofuels. To be eligible for payments, advanced biofuels produced must be derived from renewable biomass, excluding corn kernel starch, in a biorefinery located in a state. The interim rule adds to the definition provisions for determining whether an advanced biofuel producer of biogas or solid advanced biofuels is a “larger producer” or a “smaller producer.” The rule also deletes the term “biorefinery” and replaces it with “biofuel facility” to clarify that eligible advanced biofuels may be produced at facilities other than biorefineries.

“These changes contribute to the Obama Administration’s effort to revitalize our rural economy and meet our energy challenges,” [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack said. “It’s part of our effort to ‘win the future.’ USDA’s renewable energy programs provide new sources of farm income, increase domestic energy production and develop a domestic renewable energy industry which will create jobs and reduce America’s dependence on imported oil.”

The rule changes for the Repowering Assistance Program and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels are in the federal register today, and the rule for the Biorefinery Assistance Program is expected to be published on Monday.

biofuels, Government, USDA

Growth Energy Responds to Ethanol Attacks

Cindy Zimmerman

Once again, ethanol is being attacked by the national media for causing food shortages.

In a Washington Post editorial today, long-time ethanol opponent Tim Searchinger writes about “How biofuels contribute to the food crisis.” While admitting the “2008 food crisis” resulted from a number of causes, Searchinger said, “We should recognize the ways in which biofuels are driving it.”

Growth Energy chart
In response, Growth Energy released a chart showing ethanol’s small slice of total global grain supplies and CEO Tom Buis said Searchinger used the op-ed to defend his “indirect land use scheme.”

“Ethanol is both a food and a fuel business. What is ignored in this piece is that every ethanol plant in the country turns out animal feed as well as fuel – we only take the starch out of the corn kernel but put all the protein, fiber and oils right back into the food supply as ‘dried distillers grains.’ Even then, ethanol’s use of the global grain supply is a fraction,” said Buis. “The notion that ethanol is causing today’s food crisis ignores reality: the reality of the market, the reality of global trade agreements, the reality that other countries have their own domestic farm policies, and the reality that Wall Street’s rampant speculation is driving up food prices.”

Growth EnergyBuis and Todd Becker, CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy, held a telephone press conference this morning to address the issue.

Becker noted the reasons our country should be very supportive of ethanol. “Ethanol today, without the tax credit, is the cheapest motor fuel in the world that you can buy today,” he said. “We’re even cheaper than Brazilian ethanol today because we can make it more competitively than they can.”

Noting the importance of low cost distillers grains as livestock feed, Becker said, “When you talk about 40% of the corn kernel that goes right back into the feed supply, ethanol doesn’t just fuel, it feeds America as well. “Anybody that says that we’re not contributing that we’re not contributing to cheaper food supplies doesn’t understand the full equation.”

Listen to the press conference here – Becker’s comments start at about 22 minutes in when he joins the call. Growth Energy Press Conference

Audio, Ethanol, food and fuel, Growth Energy

Get The National Ethanol Conference App

Chuck Zimmerman

Apps for trade shows and conferences are becoming more and more popular. The next one I’ll be using is the National Ethanol Conference App in Phoenix. I hope the weather is as nice as it was for the National Biodiesel Conference this week!

* Get 24 hour access to unique, on-the-go information, maps and networking.
* Organize your schedule.
* Navigate using the conference map.
* Stay in the know with important alerts and the most up-to-date event schedule.
* Download speaker and sponsor information.

Download the App! It’s FREE.

Instructions:

For iPhones, iPod Touch and iPad: From your phone, visit the App Store and search for NEC 2011.

For Blackberry, Droid and all other smartphones: From your phone, point your mobile browser to http://m.core-apps.com/nec2011 (the system will determine your phone type for proper download for your device). Then bookmark this page on your phone for easy future access.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference

Solar Acquisition Corp., GNE Ink Algae-Biodiesel Deal

John Davis

Solar Acquisition Corp. and Global Natural Energy Cyprus Ltd have signed a deal to form joint venture, GNE USA, that will produce algae-based biodiesel.

This press release says the agreement should be finalized in the next two months:

“GNE-USA will come out of the gate with a strong competitive advantage in its exclusive right to the GNE patented technology,” said Bruce Levy, SLRX director. “We expect GNE-USA to have high volumes and low costs driven by this technology.”

GNE-USA will use GNE’s patented algae growing systems to produce bio-diesel oil. “After 10 years of research, GNE has achieved the first commercially viable algae systems for bio-fuel,” said GNE CEO Chaim Lieberman.

The GNE systems both reduce the cost of growing the algae and significantly reduce the costs of extracting the oil used for diesel fuel production.

Company officials say their system is much more advanced than their competition. The deal will also give the new company years of experience in the algae farm and alternative energy markets.

algae, Biodiesel