Is Clean Diesel a New Alternative Fuel?

Joanna Schroeder

There is a surge of new diesel vehicles entering the U.S. market place in response to the need for better fuel economy along with lower fuel emissions. The diesel industry has been promoting low diesel fuels, and in some cases, diesel fuel has been labeled an “advanced fuel.”

For example, Rentech has created a diesel fuel called RenDiesel that can be produced using a variety of sources ranging from biomass to natural gas. The company has proposed building a renewable energy center in Rialto, Calif., that could produce approximately 640 barrels a day of synthetic fuels and 35 MW of renewable electric power from urban green waste diverted from landfills. According to RenTech, RenDiesel would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 97 percent when compared to conventional clean diesel fuel as well boast greater emission reductions over electric vehicles.

The company also claims that RenDiesel produces emissions lower in particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as fewer volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions than ethanol or traditional clean diesel. The fuel meets California Low Carbon Fuel Standards, and it is already being used as an ultra-clean synthetic jet fuel. It has the potential be twice as fuel efficient as a car running on ethanol.

“Diesel vehicles such as the Audi A3 TDI and synthetic drop-in fuels such as renewable RenDiesel provide powerful solutions to reducing tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions as well as the need for domestically produced fuels,” said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, President and CEO of Rentech in a company press release. “These solutions are magnified when renewable RenDiesel powers an A3 TDI, making it one of the most viable and near-term means for emissions reductions,” Mr. Ramsbottom added.

Another company producing clean diesel is Advanced Refining Concepts that has created a product called GDiesel. The fuel combines conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel with natural gas and is developed through the company’s proprietary process called ClearRefining. GDiesel can be used in diesel vehicles with no modifications.Read More

biomass, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Natural Gas

Waste to Fuel Plants Become Reality

Joanna Schroeder

Waste Management flipped the switch this week on Southwestern Ontario’s first-ever private landfill-gas-to-energy (LFGTE) facility. Located at Waste Management’s Petrolia Landfill, the facility will use methane gas – created from the natural decomposition of waste – to power up to 2,500 homes in the surrounding area. The gas is collected through wells that are strategically placed throughout the site, which powers four large engines and generates approximately 3.2 megawatts of power. The resulting electricity will be provided to homes using Bluewater Power’s distribution system. A second LFGTE facility is planned for the company’s Twin Creeks Landfill in Watford, Ontario.

This LFGTE facility is only the third private facility in Canada but it is the first in Southwestern Ontario. Waste Management has an initiative to power two million homes by 2020 with waste-based energy.

A little closer to home, Ameresco, Inc., along with San Antonio Water System (SAWS) hosted a grand opening of their new biogas facility located at the Dos Rios Water Recycling Center. According to Ameresco, this project is the first of its kind in the U.S. designed to capture biogas generated during the sewage treatment process and selling it through a commercial gas pipeline.

“SAWS is constantly improving its operations to become more sustainable, and this project is a sound investment for our environment and our community,” said Robert R. Puente, SAWS President/CEO. “By reusing biogas instead of burning it off, we are helping protect the city’s air quality and developing a renewable energy resource.”

During the sewage treatment process, biosolids generate methane gas. Rather than burn off the gas using flares, the company will now treat and transfer at least 900,000 cubic feet of gas to a nearby commercial gas pipeline. From there, Ameresco will sell the methane on the open market. In return, SAWS ratepayers will receive a royalty payment on the sale of the gas estimated yearly to be $200,000.

“At Ameresco, we are driven to help our customers find renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to achieve their goals,” said Michael T. Bakas, Ameresco’s senior vice president of renewable energy. “Whether those goals are a sustainable environment, reducing costs or reusing a resource, our energy engineers, project managers and plant specialists can make these goals a reality. Ameresco is proud to be a part of this team and groundbreaking project.”

biofuels, biogas, Energy, Waste-to-Energy

USDA Releases Updated Biofuels Report

Joanna Schroeder

Today, the USDA has released an updated version of its report, “Effects of Increased Biofuels on the U.S. Economy in 2022,” The report examines how meeting the RFS2 would affect various key components of the U.S. economy. What is not debated is that the rise in biofuel production using cost-savings technologies, along with petroleum price increases, will bring about benefits for the economy. However, the report notes that actual benefits (or costs) to the U.S. economy very much depends on future oil prices and the future of tax credits. Should oil prices stabilize, or even decrease from current levels and should the tax credits continue, then benefits to the economy would diminish.

More specifically the study examines the potential effects of the RFS-2 on the U.S. economy as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), household income and consumption, price and quantity of energy fuels, and agricultural production and trade. The researches compare the U.S. economy in 2022 with and without the RFS2.

Overall the study findings were positive. The report concludes, “If biofuel production technology advances and petroleum prices continue to rise as projected, the RFS-2 could benefit the U.S. economy. U.S. household consumption would rise because of higher real wages, increased household income, and lower import prices. By substituting domestic biofuels for imported petroleum, the United States would pay less for imports overall and receive higher prices for exports, providing a gain for the economy from favorable terms of trade. Improved technology and increased investment would enhance the ability of the U.S. economy to expand.”

Click here to download a full copy of the report.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Research

TradeWind Energy to Provide Oklahoma Wind Power

Joanna Schroeder

According to an article on BrighterEnergy.org, TradeWind Energy, based in Lenexa, Kansas, has negotiated a contract to provide wind power to Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC). Customers in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and New Mexico will be the first recipients of the wind power that will be generated from a 125-megawatt wind farm in Oklahoma and should generate enough electricity to power 40,000 homes.

The first phase of the Rocky Ridge Wind Project, which is expected to begin in construction within the next six months, will be comprised of around 75 wind turbines located on 11,000 acres in Kiowa and Washita Counties in Oklahoma. Nearly 100 landowners are hosting the turbines and will receive rent payments. Later phases could add another 300MW. TradeWind Energy anticipates that the project will begin generating wind energy by January 2012.

Once the project begins, the developers believe approximately 150 construction jobs will be generated. However, once the wind farm is up and running, only 9-10 full time jobs will be needed.

“Rocky Ridge is one of the most energetic sites in our portfolio and its location allows us to take advantage of existing transmission lines to deliver power to WFEC’s customers at a reduced cost,” said Frank Costanza, TradeWind’s executive vice president of corporate development in the article.

Costanza also noted that the Rocky Ridge wind farm would help meet Oklahoma’s growing demand for energy through an “inexhaustible Oklahoma resource.”

Mr Costanza said:

Electricity, Wind

Salazar Approves 5th Solar Project On Public Lands

Joanna Schroeder

The fifth solar project to occur on public lands has been approved by Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. The Calico Solar Project, located in San Bernardino County, California was proposed by Tessera Solar of Texas, and when completed could produce over 663.5 megawatts of renewable energy or enough to annually power between 200,000 – 500,000 homes. The solar project will use Stirling Energy System‘s SunCatcher technology, and project planners are anticipating the need for 500 new jobs.

“The Calico Solar Project is one of several projects in the pipeline that will help California and this nation build a renewable energy economy,” Secretary Salazar said in signing the Record of Decision. “With each project, we are helping to create new jobs for American workers, reduce carbon emissions, promote energy independence and strengthen our national security.”

October has been the month for public land approvals. Prior to the Calico Solar Project getting the go ahead, Salazar also approved four renewable energy projects on public lands with three located in California and one in Nevada. The projects include Imperial Valley Solar Project, Chevron Lucerne Valley Solar Project, Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, and Silver State North Solar Project. Should all five solar projects come to fruition, they could generate over 1,800 megawatts of renewable energy, or enough to power 550,000 to 1.4 million homes.

The Secretary’s decision authorizes the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to offer Tessera Solar a right-of-way grant to use these public lands for 30 years if all rents and other conditions are met. The site is on 4,604 acres of public lands in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, 37 miles east of Barstow. In addition, Tessera Solar is eligible to apply for significant funding through the Department of Energy’s Recovery Act conditional loan guarantee program.

“This marks the fifth solar energy project approved on public lands in the last two weeks,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “Through these approvals, along with recent approvals for transmission lines and other renewable energy infrastructure, we are continuing to make significant contributions to this nation’s renewable energy generation capabilities.”

Electricity, Smart Grid, Solar

Take A Ride On A Solar Tram

Joanna Schroeder

Tourists who visit Pelican Bay, one of Florida’s premier beachfront communities, will now be transported via solar trams. The Pelican Bay Foundation, which owns 43 acres of parks, recreation areas, beachfront facilities and boardwalks, has officially converted their resident transportation trams system to solar/electric vehicles provided by Eco Trans Alliance of Sarasota, Florida. Per year, an annual tram logs 25,000 miles and give more than 800,000 rides.

“We look forward to effectively using the sun to power our transportation system and continue our ongoing initiative to reduce impact on, and preserve the tranquility and beauty of, Pelican Bay,” said Pelican Bay Foundation Chairman Bill Carpenter. “Eco Trans Alliance provided a comprehensive solution and migration plan and made a clear and compelling rationale for our conversion to solar.”

The new solar/electric tram system features a 460 watt on-board solar charging system that will produce over 400 kWh of electricity. According to a company release, each tram will reduce Pelican Bay’s carbon footprint by more than 500 pounds of CO2 per year and with an entire fleet replacement (40 trams) the result will be a reduction of 22,000 pounds of CO2 yearly.

“We applaud Pelican Bay Foundation for its demonstrated leadership in sustainability practices. Pelican Bay has always been ahead of the curve with its approach to environmental affairs so there is no surprise that they would utilize the sun’s natural energy to power their Tram System. We are pleased to have had our solar charging systems evaluated and chosen for this important implementation,” remarked Greg Hyde, Special Projects Manager for Eco Trans Alliance.

Electric Vehicles, Solar

USDA Speaks, Ethanol Industry Reacts

Joanna Schroeder

The ethanol industry praised USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack today and expressed gratitude for his department’s commitment to fulfill the administration’s goal of transitioning to renewable energy. This morning at the Press Club in DC, Vilsack announced a series of measures aimed at supporting the rural economy and reducing dependence on foreign oil that include support for corn-based ethanol.

“The Obama Administration has shown strong leadership on the issue of domestic biofuels, putting forward a vision that recognizes the importance of the existing industry and the potential of new technologies. Domestic ethanol production is one of the few bright spots in a gloomy economic forecast, providing tens of thousands of jobs in hundreds of rural communities all across the country,” said Renewable Fuels President and CEO, Bob Dinneen. “By expanding the scope of American ethanol production to include new feedstocks from grasses to wood waste to algae, the industry can extend the benefits seen in rural America to every corner of the country.

As part of the announcement, Vilsack said the USDA would reinstate the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. Another important initiative would encourage the installation of blender pumps.

“If we truly want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs and improve our environment, we need to ensure that our entire vehicle fleet and fuel infrastructure are ready to use expanded U.S. ethanol production. Each additional flex fuel vehicle and blender pump gives consumers the option of filling up with clean, renewable ethanol to create a more secure energy future for this country,” remarked Tom Buis, the CEO of Growth Energy.

While the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) support all the initiatives laid out in USDA’s plan, they also called for the passage of the soon to expire tax credit.Read More

ACE, Biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, corn, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NCGA, RFA, UNICA

USDA Announces Biofuels Initiatives

Cindy Zimmerman

As part of the Obama Administration’s effort to promote production of fuel from renewable sources, create jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of measures during a speech to the National Press Club in Washington.

“Domestic production of renewable energy, including biofuels, is a national imperative and that’s why USDA is working to assist in developing a biofuels industry in every corner of the nation,” said Vilsack. “By producing more biofuels in America, we will create jobs, combat global warming, replace our dependence on foreign oil and build a stronger foundation for the 21st century economy.”

The Secretary announced several measures, including the publication of a final rule to implement the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Under the BCAP final rule, USDA will resume making payments to eligible producers. The program had operated as a pilot, pending publication of the final rule. Authorized in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, BCAP is designed to ensure that a sufficiently large base of new, non-food, non-feed biomass crops is established in anticipation of future demand for renewable energy consumption.

The nation’s largest ethanol producer, POET, welcomed finalization of rules for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), saying it will help launch the biomass market near the site of their planned cellulosic ethanol plant. “The 85 farmers we have contracted with to deliver 56,000 tons of biomass this fall are nearly finished harvesting, so the final BCAP rule comes not a day too soon,” said Jim Sturdevant, Director of Project LIBERTY for POET. “We will now apply for our cellulosic ethanol plant to become an approved Biomass Conversion Facility (BCF) so that local farmers can become eligible for matching payments for the biomass they will soon deliver.”

POET is in the midst of the world’s largest commercial harvest of biomass for cellulosic ethanol. Farmers around Emmetsburg, Iowa are baling corn cobs and light stover for delivery to POET. In order to store the bales, POET recently completed construction of a multi-million dollar stack yard next to where the first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant will be built.

Read more about Vilsack’s announcement here.

bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, Ethanol, Ethanol News, POET, USDA

Report: US Military to Get Off Petroleum by 2040

John Davis

A group that develops national security and defense policies says the American military needs to be ready for a future without petroleum. If recent tests … and testing to come … are any indication, our warfighters are already preparing for that contingency through the use of biofuels.

This article from EV World says the Center for New American Security’s (CNAS) 36-page study entitled “Fueling the Future Force: Preparing the Department of Defense for a Post-Petroleum Era” should be alarming:

Prepared in close consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as well as the major branches of U.S. Armed Forces and other government agencies, the key authors — Christine Pathemore and John Nagl — conclude that the military has three decades to dramatically reduce its dependence on petroleum, the fuel that powers 77 percent of the America’s fighting machinery.

Why the urgency and why get off of oil? Soberingly, CNAS analysts project the United States has just 11 years of reserve-to-production (R/P) capacity. Neighboring Canada, our largest external supplier, 28 years. Meanwhile, Venezuela, Iraq, Iran, the Emirates and Saudi Arabia all have 100 years of R/P capacity.

Parthemore and Nagl state in the introduction to their paper…

To ready America’s armed forces for tomorrow’s challenges, DOD should ensure that it can operate all of its systems on non-petroleum fuels by 2040. This 30-year timeframe reflects market indicators pointing toward both higher demand for petroleum and increasing international competition to acquire it.

The report goes on to say that the DoD needs to also take into account the economic costs of petroleum: every $1 increase in the price of a barrel of oil costs the Department of Defense an additional $130 million.

It looks like military planners are already preparing for the petroleum-less future. If you might remember from my post last March 25, 2010, the U.S. Air Force has flown the first A-10 … aka the Warthog … on a blend of biomass jet fuel. And Joanna’s article from yesterday points out the Navy will be testing a biofueled boat on Friday.

Government

Biodiesel Meeting RFS2 Requirement

John Davis

The new Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) has been in effect for 90 days, and biodiesel is meeting the requirement in the first quarter of the standard’s existence.

Biodiesel Magazine reports the green fuel is making it, despite the loss of the federal biodiesel tax credit:

Despite the sharp decline in biodiesel production after the expiration of the tax credit, Gary Haer, vice president of sales and marketing for Renewable Energy Group Inc., said there is enough volume to satisfy prescribed RFS2 requirements. He added that 1.8 billion gallons of capacity are currently registered with the U.S. EPA. The current obligation under the new RFS2 rule is 1.15 billion gallons. “There’s more than enough capacity already registered with the EPA to address the current and foreseeable future need of biomass-based diesel RINs for the industry,” he said.

Coleman Jones, biofuels implementation manager for General Motors of North America, said through July the biodiesel industry produced about 210 million gallons. “At that current rate we would produce another 150 million gallons more, which would push that total to 360 million gallons,” he said. “This is significantly short of the 650 million-gallon inferred mandate for 2010; however, there are enough 2008 RIN credits to bridge the difference between the cost of biodiesel and their petroleum competitors.”

According to analysis put out by the National Biodiesel Board and EPA, approximately 350 million gallons would have to be produced for the remainder of the year. Haer said that would provide the RINs necessary for carry-forward provisions allowed from 2008-2009 to meet the current obligation.

The article goes on to point out that the loss of the federal blender tax credit has caused instability in the market, and with original engine manufacturers concerned about producer behavior, there are concerns RIN prices could spike as obligated parties scramble to meet their quotas. That could cause some biodiesel producers to rush into production, hurting the quality of biodiesel.

Biodiesel