White House Highlights Federal Energy Successes

Joanna Schroeder

Many of you remember the solar panels that were installed on the White House during the 70s when our country was focused on reducing its dependence on foreign oil. Many of you will also remember when President Reagan removed the solar panels and moved our government’s focus away from energy independence.

The White House announced that it is moving forward with the installation of solar panels to the roof top of the White House as part of its efforts to raise awareness of National Energy Month. The solar panels will be installed in the spring and are an example to the nation that “American solar technologies are available, reliable, and ready for installation in homes throughout the country.” In addition to the efforts on the White House itself, there were also multiple announcements of approved solar farms on public lands.

In addition, here are some other federal efforts surrounding energy:

  • Solar Power and the Clean Energy Economy. President Obama kicked off the month by highlighting a revolutionary new solar power plant in California that will employ 1,000 people and power nearly 140,000 homes.
  • Cleaner Trucks, Buses and Vans. The Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency announced the first-ever proposed national standards for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency for heavy-duty trucks, vans and buses.
  • Ramping Up Solar Power on Public Lands. In October, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a series of six new solar power projects on public lands including the first-ever solar power plant on public lands and the largest solar power plant in the world.
  • Historic Investments in High Speed Rail. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 54 high-speed rail projects in 23 states will receive a combined total of $2.4 billion to continue developing America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.

You can learn more about these efforts, along with others, by visiting the White House Blog.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Electricity, Energy, Ethanol, Solar

E-100-4: The New Revolutionary Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

Calling all gear-heads. I’ve come across an “e-book” that is just up your alley. It’s called “E-100-4: The New Revolutionary Fuel,” and is a technical overview of how to capitalize on ethanol’s high performance properties in engines. Actually, this overview is good for anyone who understands that ethanol’s fuel loss at higher blends is an engine problem, not a fuel problem.

Most ethanol advocates understand that today’s engines are not manufactured to optimize ethanol; they are manufactured to optimize gasoline or diesel. Yet for nearly 100 years, there have been major technological breakthroughs using ethanol blends that have been “hidden” from consumers and never brought to market. In this technical overview, author Aureon Kwolek highlights all of these advancements, explains how they work and gives us the low-down on what companies are working on what technologies and their plans, if any to bring them to market.

But what may have been most interesting about the e-book, is that Kwolek presents a very compelling case on why E-100-4 should be the fuel of the future – not E85. The major difference between E-100-4 is that is contains water and is known as hydrous ethanol. In Brazil, all of their flex-fuel vehicles run on hydrous ethanol (which is less expensive to produce and offers better fuel efficiency that anhydrous ethanol according to Kwolek). In America, we remove all the water before it is sold and blended with gasoline adding an extra step and extra expense.

Kwolek writes, “ We can also optimize that engine for hydrous ethanol. Our next assignment is converting water vapor into steam, and then into hydrogen, inside the combustion chamber. Adding the water component adds a quantum leap to fuel efficiency.”

So if the technology is there to fuel vehicles with E-100-4 hydrous ethanol, and for them to get better gas mileage than all other fuels and fuel blends, why isn’t it coming to market? Kwolek surmises the problem lies with the relationship between the petroleum industry and the auto industry. He says it’s “Because automakers have a lucrative alliance with petroleum and a conflict of interest with fuel efficiency.”

This is a great overview of ethanol engine technology and one that I highly recommend. Kwolek cites all of his resources and gives links so that readers can get more information on all of the technologies that he features in the summary. You can purchase a copy of the e-book, E-100-4: The New Revolutionary Fuel,” here.

blends, book reviews, E85, Ethanol

Gen. Clarks Explains How to “Bring It Home”

Joanna Schroeder

General Wesley Clark brought his message about ethanol to the people through an article published in the October/November issue of Washington Monthly. In the article, Clark, who is a Co-Chairman for ethanol industry organization Growth Energy, discusses the staggering amount of money the United States sends to foreign countries for oil – $821 million EVERY day. This equates to $300 billion each year, or about $1,000 for every American — man, woman and child. This number represents about 60 percent of the trade deficit.

Clark writes, “But this tragic situation also presents us with the greatest opportunity in a decade to recharge America’s economy and build a platform for renewed economic growth. I want to tell you how it can be done. And without a tax on gasoline or carbon.”

So how can it be done? Invest in ethanol and other homegrown fuels.

According to Clark, today, the U.S. is consuming almost three times as much crude oil as it produces with 71 percent going for transportation. During the second quarter of 2010 America consumed 9.2 million barrels per day of gasoline, plus 5.1 million barrels for other transportation, such as jet fuel and diesel for trucks and locomotives. According to the Energy Information Administration, 94 percent of the energy used in transportation is derived from petroleum. Therefore, Clark concludes, energy independence is largely about transportation—not about insulating our houses, turning down thermostats, or swapping out light bulbs.

He then lays out three approaches to the problem: produce more domestic oil, conservation and biofuels, specifically ethanol, and gives a detailed history and strategy for each approach. He concludes that not only can we get rid of our $300 billion a year oil habit, but we already know how to accomplish it.

Clark concludes, “Instead of making the American people pay more for fuel, what we need to do is get them on our side, in favor of energy independence…At a time when the American economy has lost millions of jobs, and when most economists despair of America returning to full employment anytime in the near future, we don’t need to put an American on the moon. But we do need to get past denial and overcome our addiction to foreign oil. It’s not as if we don’t know how.”

You can read the full article, “Bringing It All Back Home,” here.

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Soladiesel Successful in Navy Riverine Command Boat

Joanna Schroeder

In an update to a story from last week, the U.S. Navy successful tested an algae biodiesel blend in its pilot Navy Riverine Command Boat at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. The renewable fuel was provided by Solazyme, who has a contract with the U.S. Navy to provide them with 150,000 gallons of advanced biofuels made from algae. All of Solazyme’s Soladiesel diesel fuels meet ASTM, EU and military specifications.

“Solazyme is proud to provide the first microbially derived ship fuel used by the Navy in a military boat,” said Solazyme CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Wolfson. “The United States Navy’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels has taken another step forward today and we applaud their leadership. We are honored to be a part of Navy’s efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.”

Solazyme believes it’s technology will help the Department of Defense reduce its carbon footprint, combat global climate change and lead in the development of clean and renewable energy sources.

algae, Biodiesel

Brazilian State Mato Grosso Considers Corn Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso is looking at producing ethanol from the state’s excess corn to reduce the miles Brazilian sugarcane ethanol would travel. On Wednesday, a combined industry and governmental committee that has been formed to study corn, announced that it has commissioned a study by state researcher Embrapa to look at the viability of producing corn ethanol.

“It’s very embryonic, only an idea. It would make use of corn, which is widely available in Mato Grosso, which is very distant from the south,” said Cesar Borges de Sousa, chairman of the joint committee known as the “corn sector chamber” in Rueters.

While nearly all the cars in Brazil are flex-fuel vehicles and are able to operate all the way up to 100 percent hydrous ethanol, sugarcane ethanol is not always the cheapest at the pump, especially in outlaying states. Variables include sugarcane harvest, sugar prices, oil prices, and transportation costs, among others. Another unusual strategy of the Brazilians is all flex-fuel vehicle purchases come with a spreadsheet that details when using ethanol and at what blend, is most cost efficient. Yet even when it costs more to blend ethanol, many consumers still purchase it at the pump because they understand the security and economic benefits.

According to an article in Reuters, the corn committee’s idea is to make cheaper ethanol locally to power cars and agricultural machinery as well as give corn producers another option for sale. The corn would be processed at several of the cane ethanol mills in the state during the month that all sugarcane mills are offline.

“It would add value right there in the place where it is produced,” de Sousa said, stressing the idea would only move forward if it proved financially and technically viable.

Brazil, corn, Ethanol

DF Cast: EPA Seeks Input on E15 Ethanol Pump Labels

John Davis

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the green light to E15 ethanol … or maybe a “pale” green light, in the case where it is a partial waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline for 2007 model year vehicles or newer.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy, who says the agency needs input on what the E15 pump labels should look like. We also hear from Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen, who is pleased with seeing the rise in the percentage of ethanol allowed in gasoline but is concerned that it is unnecessarily limited to 2007 model year vehicles and newer. He also worries that a “warning” label about E15 at the pumps could confuse consumers and scare them away from using the green fuel. Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy and ethanol producer POET’s president Jeff Broin believe the comment process will weed out any problems, and consumers, and in turn, retailers will end up embracing E15.

More information, including how you can give your input on the label is available at the EPA’s E15 website.

It’s an important conversation, and you can hear more of it in the Domestic Fuel Cast here. Domestic Fuel Cast

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.:

Audio, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, News, POET, RFA

2012 Ford Focus to be FFV

The 2012 Ford Focus will receive up to 40 mpg using E10 and will also be able to run on E85. The 2.0-liter engine will combine the technology of gasoline direct injection with twin independent variable camshaft timing and E85 flexible fuel capability.

Ford notes that the direct injection improves fuel economy and performance by delivering the exact amount of gasoline right into the combustion chamber. The engine can operate at a high 12:1 compression ratio, compared with the 2011 Focus’ engine’s 10:1 ratio, further enhancing power and efficiency. And unlike most competitive direct injection systems, the engine will be E85 flex fuel-capable.

The new Focus will be among the global leaders in fuel economy and CO2 emissions,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We will continue to pioneer new technologies beyond launch, including the zero-emissions Focus Electric BEV launching in North America in 2011. Throughout its life cycle, Focus in all forms, in all regions, will demonstrate the Ford commitment to deliver unsurpassed fuel economy on a truly global scale.”

Ford’s 2011 flexible fuel vehicle line includes the Crown Victoria, E-Series Van, Escape, Expedition, F-150 and Super Duty. Their Lincoln FFV line includes the Navigator and Town Car. Mercury’s 2011 FFVs are the Grand Marquis, Mariner and Milan.

E85, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Miscellaneous

High-Speed Midwest Train Looks to Run on Biodiesel

John Davis

A new high-speed passenger train between Chicago and Iowa City could end up running on biodiesel.

Medill Reports Chicago has this piece on a high-speed rail line that the Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation just received $230 million to build, part of the federal government’s $8 billion plan to modernize the rail system with nine high speed rail lines connecting major cities in California, Florida, Ohio, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast:

The new line [between Iowa city and Chicago] will be called the ‘green’ line for all of the environmentally friendly initiatives that will be incorporated into the train line, including onboard recycling. Biodiesel fuel, made from vegetable oil will power the trains, and soy-based lubricants will be used on the locomotives, according to Mike Murray, transportation policy advisor to [Illinois] Governor Quinn.

“We’re hoping to get to 20 percent biodiesel used on the locomotives. And it’s something that can come from Illinois. Part of it has to do with being green, but part of it has to do with building a rail project that creates jobs here,” Murray said.

Right now, Amtrak is currently testing biodiesel on its Oklahoma City-Fort Worth, Texas route.

Biodiesel, Government

Small Biodieselers Look to Small Business Loans

John Davis

In February 2009, when the Recovery Act was signed into law, the federal government set up $56.1 million for microloans for small businesses … maybe to make up a little bit for the billions that was handed out to the big banks. One of the groups able to take advantage of that money has been the small biodiesel producers.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine points out how one East Coast biodiesel producer has been able to take advantage of those Small Business Administration loans to keep afloat in these days of no $1-a-gallon federal blender tax credit:

Like many small biodiesel businesses caught in the credit crunch, Tri-State Biodiesel LLC was in dire need of working capital for equipment upgrades and to retain and hire employees.

“It’s very difficult to get any kind of credit now,” says founder and CEO Brent Baker, adding that he was turned down by three major commercial banks that had previously financed his company, prior to turning to Boc Capital. “It was just a hard sell [to commercial banks] to get any type of credit. Traditional banks are so risk averse these days.”

Facing the possibility of layoffs or an inability to compete in the biodiesel market with old equipment, the Bronx, N.Y.-based company, which distributes biodiesel and collects waste cooking oil from 2,700 restaurants in the New York City area and cleans it up for sale as a biodiesel feedstock, managed to get a five-year $50,000 loan at a reasonable rate from Boc Capital. Boc is an intermediary lender through the SBA, which received $750,000 from the federal government thanks to the 2009 stimulus package. For Baker, the microloan was a solid option for his company to help finance upgrades to its oil rendering equipment, and hire more staff. “It helped us to increase our profitability,” Baker tells Biodiesel Magazine. “We’ve actually grown and hired people as a result.”

The article does point out that these microloans aren’t for everyone. Many operations would need much more than the $50,000 limit on the loans, and they shouldn’t be used as a primary source of credit to sustain operations.

Biodiesel

UNEP Releases Water & Bioenergy Paper

Joanna Schroeder

Water is becoming a growing global concern and according to a new issues brief released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), water could determine the degree to which bioenergy can contribute to combating climate change through renewable fuels. “Water and Bioenergy” was presented during the Convention on Biodiversity meeting (CBD COP10) in Nagoya, Japan.

One element of great concern addressed in the paper is in areas where water is already scarce, biofuels programs could increase environmental and social pressures. The paper continued by stating that “bioenergy development can have an impact on biodiversity on a number of levels: by changing land-use, introducing invasive species for use in biofuel production, overusing water and pushing agricultural production into areas with high conservation value (indirect land use change).” However, the paper also said that if done correctly, on both a global and local level, biofuel programs can be beneficial.

“There is no doubt that we need to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and move to cleaner, more environmentally friendly options, but we need to make sure we are not creating more problems than we solve,” said Achim Steiner, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and UNEP Executive Director.

Steiner continued, “We need to examine all the risks, so that we can take full advantage of the opportunities, for emissions cuts, for new green jobs, and for raising the standards of living for some of the world’s poorest communities.”

UNEP spells out some of those considerations in four issues papers now being circulated that compliment the report, “Accessing Biofuels,” launched last year.

In “Water and Bioenergy” the UNEP cites research that shows that two per cent, or 44 km3, of the global water withdrawals for irrigation is being used for bioenergy production. However, if current bioenergy standards and targets were fully implemented, a further 180 km3 of irrigation water would be needed, creating additional pressure on water resources and potentially impacting on food production and water supplies, especially in those areas already experiencing water stress.

According to the paper, the water footprint of bioenergy can be up to 400 times greater than that of traditional fossil fuels; therefore, the greatest challenge will be to determine how to meet future bioenergy demand without overexploiting or damaging water resources, and how to better manage bioenergy supply chains to reduce the pressure on water use and minimize impacts on water quality.

You can download “Water and Bioenergy” here.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Research, water