NEC 2027

Cornoil – A Growing Feedstock for REG

Joanna Schroeder

The synergies between the biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuels industries are growing. One of the things that’s been happening over the past few years is the ethanol industry creating a new feedstock for the biodiesel industry – inedible corn oil.

Inedible corn oil was one of the feedstocks that REG highlighted during USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s biodiesel plant tour in Newton, IA. To learn more, I spoke with David Elsenbast, vice president of supply chain management for REG.

“Our industry is always looking for new, commercialized feedstocks to meet our growing Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) requirements for biodiesel. We are trying to produce nearly 800 million gallons of biodiesel this year,” said Elsenbast. “We typically use the traditional feedstocks, animal fats, waste cooking oil, and of course soybean oil. We’ve been working for several years now with the ethanol industry to create a market, and a market that has good value for the ethanol producer, to provide them a reason to separate the oil out of the DDGs and sell that to the biodiesel industry.”

Listen to my full interview with David Elsenbast: Cornoil - A Growing Feedstock for REG

As demand for biodiesel feedstocks continue to grow, the market for inedible corn oil continues to grow. Today, about one-third of the corn ethanol industry has corn oil extraction technology. The amount of inedible corn oil in the market will grow significantly now that POET has announced its corn oil extraction technology, VOILA. The company intends to install the technology in all 27 plants this year.

Yet despite its growing availability, not all biodiesel facilities have the technology to convert corn oil into biodiesel. Elsenbast explained that it’s harder to convert. Read More

Audio, Biodiesel, corn, feedstocks, REG

Book Review – World On The Edge

Joanna Schroeder

I spent Earth Day 30,000 feet up and I must admit that there was a tiny part of me that felt guilty. So to make myself feel better, I read “World On The Edge,” by Lester Brown.  The book focuses on how to prevent environmental and economic collapse and operates on the assumption that it’s not “if” global warming will change business as usual, but when. It should be noted that Brown is the founder and president of Earth Policy Institute and has been advocating for change relating to environmental concerns such as climate change for more than 30 years.

In the first part of the book, Brown lays out the problems at hand including falling water tables and shrinking harvests, eroding soils and expanding deserts and finishes with a discussion about the effect of rising temperatures including the melting of ice and glaciers and food security. He notes that several researchers conducted a study whereby they aggregated the use of earth’s natural resources including CO2 and discovered that we first surpassed the earth’s regenerative capacity around 1980. In 1999, global demands on the earth’s natural systems exceeded sustainable yields by 20 percent and today it would take 1.5 Earths to sustain our current consumption.

Next Brown begins a discussion of the consequences as a result of our foundation in peril. He discusses rising food prices and food scarcity, environmental refugees (think Hurricane Katrina where more than 300,000 people were displaced and many never went back) and failed states such as Somalia and Iraq. During the first part of the book, the big link, or the big disaster, is failed agriculture. He notes that many archeologists have determined that many civilizations that disappeared did so because of food shortages and he believes this is the weak link for today’s civilization.

He uses the 2008-2009 “food bubble” as an example. This was when energy prices hit record highs and food prices also hit record highs. He explained that with countries producing fuel from food crops, such as the U.S. producing ethanol from corn, energy prices/fuel prices are now directly tied to food prices.

“The question is not whether the food bubble will burst but when,” says Brown. Read More

biofuels, book reviews, corn, Electric Vehicles, Environment, Ethanol, Geothermal, global warming, Solar, Wind

Students in Mojave Desert Learn with Green Power

Joanna Schroeder

Students in the Mojave Desert, located 110 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California, are learning with the help of a little green power – solar power. The Muroc Unified School District is the home of three solar installations, totaling 1,700 Coenergy solar modules. One solar system is located on the grounds of the school district office, another at West Boron Elementary school and the third at the Boron Senior High school. Combined, the solar systems will generate nearly 400 kilowatts, enough to meet 80 percent of the district’s energy needs. This should reduce the district’s utility bill by 95 percent.

“The three Conergy installations produce a total of around 705 megawatt-hours of clean solar energy per year; avoiding the emission of more than 500,000 lbs of harmful CO2 greenhouse gases,” said Byron Johnson, Muroc Unified School District Assistant-Superintendent. “This is as much electricity as one hundred Californian households consume annually. By creating our own energy, students and staff become more aware of their energy use and are inspired to use energy wisely. This helps us to encourage ‘green learning’, by producing clean energy and using less energy whenever possible.”

Over the life of the solar system, which is expected to be at least 30 years, total energy savings should be nearly $3 million. The school district was able to complete the project with no out of pocket or up front expenses; rather, the project costs were financed by Enfinity through a Power Purchase Agreement.

“We are glad to have the opportunity to install solar power on Muroc’s school grounds,” said David Vincent, Project Development Manager for Coenergy. “Being exposed to solar energy, the students get a feel for the effectiveness and accessibility of sustainable energy while increasing their environmental awareness. In sunny California in general, and Muroc in particular, the clean energy future is becoming a reality.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

‘Groupon’ Model for Solar Power

Joanna Schroeder

A new report released during the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities Annual Meeting shows that governments and businesses that join together to purchase solar power can lower costs between 10-15 percent. “Purchasing Power: Best Practices Guide for Collaborative Solar Procurement,” was issued by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network (Joint Venture) and the two organizations are calling the power of group buying the ‘Groupon‘ model for commercial solar power. The “Purchasing Power” guide also shows that group buying can save 75 percent in administrative time and fees and help participants better negotiate contract terms.

“This is the ‘Groupon’ model of solar purchasing,” said Jenna Goodward, Associate, WRI, and co-author of the report. “It provides the tools small businesses and local governments need to save time and money by flexing their collective purchasing power. Our goal is to make it easier to buy solar power, help interested groups save money, and promote greater adoption of renewable energy nationwide.”

The 2011 Solar America Cities Annual Meeting underway is focusing on two themes this year. First, how to reduce key barriers to solar market penetration and second how to remove administrative costs and hurdles. Both issues are addressed in the guide and a 12-step strategy walks private and public sector users through the entire process of buying solar energy, soup to nuts.

“It is crucial to break down barriers that keep small businesses and local governments from gaining access to renewable energy,” said Rachel Massaro, Associate Director of Climate Initiatives for Joint Venture and co-author of the report. “The new ‘Purchasing Power’ guide offers an easy-to-follow, 12-step process that can lead to much broader market penetration for solar power.”

WRI and Joint Venture developed the guide after piloting the first collaborative solar procurement projects in California. In Santa Clara County, the Silicon Valley Collaborative Renewable Energy Procurement Project represented nine local government agencies and 70 solar installations across more than 40 locations, totaling more than 14 MW of power at peak capacity.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

New Bioplastics Logo Unveiled

Joanna Schroeder

Biomass is not just for energy. Crops like potatoes, corn, wheat, tapioca, sugar, and algae can also be used to produce plastics, or “bioplastics”, a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics are biodegradable and compostable and for those consumers looking to make a “greener” choice, Cereplast has unveiled a new bioplastics logo. The winner was announced on Earth Day Eve as part of Cereplast’s “Make Your Mark” competition. Laura Howard, a graphic design student at the University of Louisville, Kentucky created the logo and was awarded $25,000 for her design that will be easily identifiable on products.

“We are excited to congratulate Laura Howard for designing a symbol that has the potential to become a revolutionary logo representing the next generation of plastics – plastics that protect and preserve our environment and are made from renewable resources,” said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast. “The new bioplastic symbol will be used in a similar fashion to the recycling symbol as it will be stamped on products, and it will serve as an identifying mark of bioplastic material.”

Scheer continued, “Petroleum-based plastics can have a devastating impact on our environment. Approximately 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year.  At these quantities, we could wrap the entire planet several times over. Bioplastics offer a more respectful option for our environment, and we believe that this new symbol will help provide consumers with the tools they need to make more environmentally intelligent purchasing decisions.”

The “Make Your Mark” campaign was designed after the 1970 contest that produced the now unmistakable “recycle” logo. The bioplastics logo design campaign received over 1,500 design entries and 2.8 million public votes. The top 200 designs were then judged a panel that included Dr. Gary Anderson, creator of the recycling symbol, Dr. Michael Thielen, Publisher of bioplastics MAGAZINE, and Karim Rashid, world-class industrial designer.

“Cereplast’s bioplastic symbol could likely gain traction much faster than the recycling symbol I designed, as communication in today’s digital landscape runs at lightning speed compared to forty years ago,” said Dr. Gary Anderson, creator of the recycling symbol and “Make Your Mark” judge. “I am honored to be a part of this historic competition that has produced a symbol that will represent the environmental benefits of bioplastics.”

algae, bioplastics, corn, Environment

United Sport Unveils Solar & Hydro Projects

Joanna Schroeder

United Sports, a multi-sport facility located in the Northeast, has announced they are partnering with Mercury Solar Systems, Sage Energy and Exelon Corporation to install an expansive solar energy and hydro power project. On hand for the project unveiling was Congress Jim Gerlach (PA 6th District) along with executives and employees from United Sports. The 207kW solar energy system consists of 1,035 panels that span the roof of the complex. The hydro power will be generated by tapping into the Conowingo Hydroelectric Generating Station in Darlington, MD. Combined, the two projects will provide two-thirds of the complex’s energy needs.

“United Sports is excited about the positive energy decisions we are making with Sage Energy, Mercury Solar Systems and Exelon,” said Ted van Beuren, President/CEO, United Sports. To think that two-thirds of our energy needs will be supplied through renewable solar and hydro power at a substantial savings is a win-win for all!”

The company came up with some creative environmental equivalents to give consumers an idea of how much more “environmentally friendly” the complex will be with the solar and hydro projects. Over the lifetime of the projects, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions would be equal to driving an average sized car 50,000,000 miles, flying 44 trips to the moon and back or planting over 175,000 trees.

“United Sports went the distance to incorporate cutting edge green technologies into the design of the complex,” said Andrew Kleeman, Senior Vice President, New Markets at Mercury Solar Systems. “The solar system alone will generate enough energy to power 17 average sized homes but more importantly significant clean energy for the kids that actively play at the complex each and every year.”

Peter Corbett, managing partner with Sage Energy added, “We at Sage Energy Investments are proud to be bringing solar and hydroelectric power to United Sports, the premier sports and recreation complex on the East Coast. Given the recent catastrophes of the Gulf oil spill and the nuclear meltdown in Japan, timing could not be better to showcase the viability of alternative energy strategies. With over 1,000,000 annual visitors, many impressionable youth, United Sports is the ideal location to get this message out and show that clean, renewable energy makes sense for the future of this country.”

Electricity, Energy, Hydro, Solar

Recovering Waste Can Improve Plant Profits

Joanna Schroeder

According to POET, the largest producer of ethanol in the U.S., recovering waste heat can improve a plant’s bottom line. The company has been testing a new waste heat recovery system at POET Biorefining – Caro and the results have been good: significant natural gas and water savings. The plant produces 53 million gallons per year of ethanol.

The plant’s system recycles heat from the process, replacing about 10 percent of the facility’s natural gas needs. Water that is condensed in the system is re-used, which reduces overall water use by 5 percent. The technology reduces the amount of live steam running through the process and as a result, the waste heat recovery system also decreases by almost 50 percent the amount of time the plant is shut down for cleaning.

“The waste heat recovery system has been a phenomenal addition to the Caro facility,” General Manager David Gloer said. “We are using less natural gas and less water, which is great for the environment, and this new system reduces our operating cost, making us much more cost competitive. The employees have embraced the new system and have become very proficient in operating the new equipment in a very short time frame.”

biofuels, Ethanol, POET, water

How to Decrease Algae Culture “Crashes”

Joanna Schroeder

Arizona State University through a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is studying the factors involved in algal crop failure known as culture “crashes.” Grazing zooplankton are considered predators to algae and can cause loss of productivity. According to scientist Qiang Hu and his research team, except for a few algal strains that can tolerate extreme growing environments, the hazard of predator contamination is so great that sustainable cultivation of many algal crops, in particular, oil-producing algal strains on a large-scale, has not been possible.

Hu is the co-director of the Arizona Center for Algal Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) / Laboratory for Algae Research and Biotechnology (LARB). He says that the cost of crop failures could be in the multi-million dollar range if zooplankton have their way. Zooplankton are microscopic animals that are often identified as amoebas, protozoans, ciliates and rotifers. All are predators on microscopic algae, which represent the base of the aquatic food chain.

“Without a detailed understanding of the factors influencing the occurrence, population dynamics, impact and control of zooplankton, it could potentially prevent algae from being a practical source of oil crops for production of bioenergy and bioproducts,” says Hu.

The team is just getting started in its study and they plan to survey zooplankton contamination in commercial algal production systems, as well as in their own algae testbed facilities located at ASU Polytechnic campus. Simultaneously, the team will determine living and non-living influencers on zooplankton, with the goal of developing an empirical model for assessment and prediction of potential impact of zooplankton contamination on overall algal culture stability and biomass production potential.

The team will use state-of-the-art bio-imaging and DNA fingerprinting techniques to help them develop a rapid, sensitive monitoring and an early warning system. At the same time, they will evaluate several innovative control measures, and ultimately develop a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP) for prevention and treatment.

“The comprehensive BMPP will be the key to achieve sustainable production of algal feedstock, and thus enable successful commercialization of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts,” explains Hu.

“Results from the research plan to be shared widely with the biotechnology community and the algal biofuels industry, through publications and conference presentations, as well as workshops and training courses provided by LARB and AzCATI.

algae, biofuels

REG Says 2011 RVOs Can Be Met

Joanna Schroeder

This year is poised to be a great year for the biodiesel industry. The EPA upheld the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for this year and along with the return of the tax credit, the industry is busy getting back online and producing quality fuel.

However, despite the RVO, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed to ensure success and during USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s visit to REG’s biodiesel facility in Newton, Iowa, these challenges were discussed along with solutions.

I sat down with REG President and COO, Daniel Oh, to learn more about what it will take from the biodiesel industry, the obligated parties and agencies such as EPA to ensure the country’s goals are met.

Listen to my full interview with Daniel Oh: REG's Daniel Oh Talks RVOs

“Well its early days in the year. As we look at national biodiesel data we don’t yet see the volume being purchased that if you extrapolate that, would cause the obligation that the obligated parties have to buy biodiesel to be fully completed by the end of the year,” said Oh. “Now this doesn’t concern us in that we see volumes increasing every month. However, the obligated parties have different positions and in good faith I think they’re all trying to comply but some of them have the distribution base to buy biodiesel others don’t. Some are figuring out how to sell. Some are even trying to figure out how to even purchase and handle biodiesel.”

Oh continued, “So what we really need moving ahead is to get to a point over the next two-to-three years where we have a new market equilibrium. Where those plants that deserve to be around and our highly competitive, produce great fuel, are running at high utilization and the obligated parties are being served in low cost efficient way. In this year, what we really need to see is greater buying sooner so that the right plants can get up and running and provide the RINS (Renewable Identification Numbers) that are necessary for the full year obligation.”

Oh noted that the obligated parties are their customers and they are delighted to serve them. He said that what REG is doing all day is providing them with not only a compliance opportunity but also the opportunity for energy security, cleaner air and lower carbon emissions.Read More

Audio, Biodiesel, REG, USDA

DF Cast: Researchers, Advocates Clash on Algae Biodiesel Feasibility

John Davis

Some researchers say that, at current production levels, algae biodiesel is not a commercially viable product. But some algae advocates believe researchers might have some ulterior motives for coming to that conclusion.

One of the study’s authors, Dr. Peter Pfromm, a professor in Kansas State University’s department of chemical engineering, says that while they found that it’s possible to produce enough biodiesel to make it a net energy gain over the amount of energy that goes into the green fuel’s production, it won’t make money. In fact, he says the algae would have to produce perhaps three times the amount of oil it currently does in order for algae-for-biodiesel production to be economically feasible, and it would take a pond 11 square kilometers big just to grow enough algae for the green fuel to replace just .1 percent of this nation’s diesel use. Pfromm says the real work needs to go into boosting the level of oil output from the algae.

But But Barry Cohen, the executive director of the advocacy group, the National Algae Association, says Pfromm is not looking at real-world conditions, and Cohen says Pfromm’s assumption that the algae would be grown in open ponds is an old, out-dated technology, and most algae growers are using vertical photo bioreactors and fermenters. He also contends that algae researchers have a financial reason for not seeing algae commercialized as the U.S. Department of Energy is only funding research, not production, done on algae-biodiesel. He says that if researchers ever found a way to make algae-biodiesel commercially viable, that federal money for the research would dry up.

Pfromm says they received no outside money, especially no DOE money, for this project.

Hear more of what both men had to say here: Domestic Fuel Cast

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.:

algae, Audio, Biodiesel, Domestic Fuel Cast