North Dakota A Leading State for Ethanol Blends

Joanna Schroeder

While many retailers across the country will look at offering consumers mid-level blends of ethanol now that the EPA has approved the use of E15 for cars and light duty trucks manufactured after 2007, North Dakota already has a competitive edge. Since May of this year, 60 blender pumps have been installed in the state with the help of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association and the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

“The blender pump program has partnered our eastern corn fields with the western oil fields of North Dakota and will be a model for the rest of our nation to become less dependent on foreign oil,” states Tom Lilja, Executive Director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

The state’s blender pump program provides retailers a $2,500 grant per pump from the North Dakota Corn Council and the state offers an additional grant of $5,000. In addition, the “Blend Your Own Ethanol” campaign is also aiding retailers with installation. The BYO Ethanol Program is jointly executed by the American Coalition of Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association and is also supported by the National Corn Growers Association and several state corn grower organizations.

“The use of biofuels is growing rapidly in this country, and we are happy to be able to supply these different fuel options to our customers,” said Kent Satrang, CEO of Petro Serve USA and one of the retailers who has taken advantage of the state grants for retailers to install blender pumps.

Blender pumps typically offer consumers mid-level ethanol blends including E20 (20 percent ethanol/80 percent gas), E30 and E40. Most pumps also offer E10 as well as E85 and now that E15 is approved, many retailers may add that to their fuel mix. To ensure consumers who don’t have flex-fuel vehicles don’t unknowingly fill their tanks with mid-level ethanol blends, the pumps are clearly labeled.

ACE, blends, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

ILUC From Corn Ethanol “Minimal to Zero”

Joanna Schroeder

In a report that will be published soon,”Decomposition Analysis of U.S. Corn Use for Ethanol Production from 2001-2008,”the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory concludes that the indirect land use change (ILUC) as a result from the expansion of corn ethanol production over the past decade has likely been “minimal to zero.” The study was requested by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which has appointed several teams of expert working groups to assess the methodology and data that went into California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

In response to the news, Geoff Cooper, the Vice President for Research and Analysis for the Renewable Fuels Association remarked, “The most recent work on ILUC is showing that ethanol expansion in the U.S. simply isn’t incurring the type of land use changes that were originally hypothesized. The initial results recently presented by the Department of Energy are further proof that America can continue to meet its global responsibilities to provide food and feed, while simultaneously providing a cleaner, domestic alternative to petroleum—all without needing to bring new lands into agriculture.”

The results of the study were released during the last CARB meeting focused on ILUC held last week. The time frame reviewed was during 2001-2008, when the U.S. ethanol industry more than quadrupled. The researchers concluded, “Empirical evidence does not support significant effects on U.S. commodity exports [and] other crops or cropland expansion in the U.S.”

“This should put the stake into the heart of the bizarre ILUC scheme. Here are some of the best scientists in the country – scientists who have no stake in the game – who found that ethanol had little to no impact from ILUC,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “We must ask why California insists on going forward with a regulation that is based not just on controversial theory, but a theory that has been disproven.”

Coinciding with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s research, a paper published in Environmental Science & Technology and authored by Bruce Dale and other researchers at Michigan State University, “Biofuels Done Right: Land Efficient Animal Feeds Enable Large Environmental and Energy Benefits,” found that significantly larger volumes of biofuels can be produced without incurring ILUC.

“Using less than 30% of total U.S. cropland, pasture, and range, 400 billion liters (106 billion gallons) of ethanol can be produced annually without decreasing domestic food production or agricultural exports. This approach also reduces U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 670 Tg CO2-equivalent per year, or over 10% of total U.S. annual emissions, while increasing soil fertility and promoting biodiversity. Thus we can replace a large fraction of U.S. petroleum consumption without indirect land use change,” the authors concluded in the paper.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Indirect Land Use, Research

Navy to Fuel Boats with Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

There will be a Wrigtht Brothers reenactment on Friday as the U.S. Navy prepares to fuel a boat with biofuels. Okay, so I fibbed a bit in the lead….it’s a boat, not a plane, and the boat will be fueled by biofuels and not jet fuel, but you get the point. The full power demonstration of a Riverine Command Boat (experimental) powered by a blend of 50 percent algae-based biodiesel and 50 percent NATO F-76 fuel will be groundbreaking. And in case you’re wondering, this bit of history will take place on October 22, at Naval Base Norfolk, Virgina.

“Our primary mission for Navy energy reform is to increase warfighting capability, both strategically and tactically. From a strategic perspective, we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels from unstable locations,” said Rear Admiral Philip Cullm, Director of the Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division (OPNAV N45), which leads the Navy’s Task Force Energy. “Tactically, efficient use of energy resources extends our combat range and use of non-petroleum fuels assures multiple supplies are available.”

The Naval Sea Systems Command’s advanced fuels program office is leading the tests and demonstration for all alternative fuels used for the U.S. Navy. The office is also working in coordination with the Task Force Energy Maritime Working Group, supports the Secretary of the Navy’s efforts to reduce total energy consumption on naval ships.

algae, Biodiesel, biofuels

Flux Capicitor Travels in Time to Return With Algal Fuels

Joanna Schroeder

Just in time for the 25th anniversary of Back to the Future, the flux capacitor is back in action. Only this time, it’s not taking us back in time – it’s bringing us fuel. Last week, a bubble-maker that mimics the flux capacitor in looks alone, was awarded the Royal Society’s Brian Mercer award for innovation, a £250,000 prize. The money will help bring the technology to market. The technology received the award due to its ability to transform the cost and effectiveness of growing algae for biofuel, treating sewage and cooling computers.

The machine was invented by Prof Will Zimmerman, a chemical engineer at the University of Sheffield. His muses were children and how they blow bubbles. “If you blow slowly and steadily, you blow a big bubble, but we use our fluidic oscillator to blow short puffs and make small bubbles,” explained Zimmerman to the Guardian.

According to the paper, the device has already been involved in several field trials with the goal of diverting the carbon dioxide produced during the manufacturing process of steel plant and routing the CO2 bubbles to algae, which need it to survive and grow. A bonus from the system is that that small bubbles carry away waste oxygen and allow 100 percent of the algae to survive.

“If you sit in your own waste products, it’s not good for your health, it stunts your growth and leads to death,” said Zimmerman. “The bubble-maker also stirs the algae, meaning each cell is better exposed to the light it needs to grow. I call it a five star hotel for algae.”

It appears that both ExxonMobil and Shell have both separately invested in the technology.

“There has been a lot of hype in this area and we think algal biofuels are 10 years from being commercialized, as most of the expertise is in the laboratory at the moment,” said Ben Graziano, Carbon Trust manager of the Algae Biofuels Challenge. “But biofuel from algae can reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly better than many existing biofuels, and can be sustainable as they don’t need arable land.”

algae, biofuels

Algenol Opens New R&D Algae Lab

Joanna Schroeder

Algenol Biofuels has officially christened its new biofuels and green chemistry lab and R&D facility in Fort Myers, FL yesterday with a ribbon cutting celebration. On hand for the event were U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.), Lee County Commission Chairwoman Tammy Hall, Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah, and Algenol Founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Woods. The lab in part, became a reality with a $10 million incentive grant from the Lee County Board of Commissioners.

The 40,000 square-foot facility houses an advanced algae biology, engineering, carbon dioxide (CO2) and green chemistry laboratory, as part of the larger Lee Integrated Biorefinery. An adjoining 4-acre outdoor R&D area and 36-acre outdoor commercialization area will hold the company’s proprietary photobioreactors—the containers that generate ethanol from algae, saltwater and CO2 using Algenol’s patented Direct to Ethanol™ technology.

“Today is a remarkable milestone in our quest to bring algae-based biofuels and bio-based chemicals to commercialization, said Woods during the ceremony. “With the opening of our new biofuels and green chemistry facility, we aim to make Florida a hub for green, clean technology innovation that will create jobs, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.”

Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) welcomed Algenol Biofuels and said that the lab was a win for Southwest Florida as well as the state. “This company is a terrific example of how private enterprise can lead the way in alternative energy development. By working together, we can diversify our nation’s energy needs and strengthen our economy,” added Mack.

Algenol is also researching related ethanol products including using ethanol and other green chemicals as a replacement for petroleum in plastic and chemical building blocks. To further is research goals, the company has formed a partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University to assist in establishing programs for students interested in pursuing careers in the green chemistry and biofuels industries.

algae, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol

Illinois Biodiesel Maker Gets Equipment, to Install Soon

John Davis

An Illinois biodiesel maker has secured the equipment it needs to finish its 30 million-gallon-a-year plant.

BN National Trail has bought the biodiesel process equipment from Kreido Biofuels, and it is expected to arrive at Newton, Illinois, near the second largest transportation corridor in the U.S. later this month:

The scalable 30 MGPY facility’s key differentiator is the multi-feedstock capability of the technology, proven in large-scale production in Europe today. This enables BN National Trail to establish purchasing contracts with local feedstock providers who will be able to supply crude soybean, corn oil, or other low-saturated oil at an opportunistically low price throughout the lifecycle of the plant.

“Enhancements from the plant in Newton will come from the advanced feedstock technology program in Budapest where a pilot plant is being expanded to include algae as a feedstock. QSB, a BNE licensed technology will be integrated with the new process equipment,” confirmed CTO Robert Brooks. No timeframe has been provided for when the plant would begin production.

Company officials say being able to buy the equipment provides revenue and moves up BN National Trail’s plans by two years.

Biodiesel

Pennsylvania School Unveils Large Solar Array

John Davis

A Pennsylvania school district has unveiled a solar array that will generate 1.2 megawatts of power while teaching about the power of clean renewable energy.

The Carlisle School District has the 5,192 panel array, designed by Henkels & McCoy, Inc., headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania with panels from Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group. It’s one of the largest arrays in the state:

The new ground-mount solar array includes 1,227 kW of Sharp’s 240 W monocrystalline panels and 9.2 kW of Sharp’s 115 W framed thin film panels, allowing students to study and compare the performance of both technologies. This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority. The Project was also funded by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority using monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Additional Funding will be provided to the school district under the ACT 129 renewable energy rebate program.

“We’re thrilled that the largest solar installation at a Pennsylvania school district is here in Carlisle,” said John Freind, Superintendent of the Carlisle Area School District. “Bringing the message of the importance of renewable energy sources to our students will help create a greener future. It’s a win for our students, for the state and for the future of our planet,” he said.

“We are very honored to have participated in this landmark and visionary project from the start. It is extremely gratifying to see the involvement of local labor in an initiative with so many benefits to the community. The Carlisle Area School District has our sincere best wishes for long-term success,” stated Rod Henkels, President and CEO of Henkels & McCoy.

“Sharp is delighted to work with Henkel’s & McCoy to help the Carlisle Area School District educate its students about renewable energy while simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint,” said Eric Hafter, senior vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group. “Renewable energy projects such as this one are not only good for the environment – they’re good for the economy as well as we they create new green jobs here in Pennsylvania and nationwide.”

The Sharp solar panels are built rugged to put up with tough operating conditions, while giving great solar power output.

Solar

Colorado Cleantech Industry Presents Awards

Joanna Schroeder

Today the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) presented eight awards during its inaugural “Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration.” The event was created to honor leaders who are working to advance cleantech developments. Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director said during the event, “Winners were selected by our Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations. The event, showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado’s cleantech industry during the past year.”

Awards & Winners include:

  • §      Political Advocate of the Year: Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.
  • §      High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Abound Solar
  • §      Runner-Up High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Tendril
  • §      Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year: Ice Energy
  • §      Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year: VanDyne SuperTurbo
  • §      Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year: Raymond R. Johnson
  • §      National Cleantech Leader: Rocky Mountain Institute
  • §      Governor’s Award for Excellence: Ron Bernal, NEA

Shapard concluded, “We want to extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, plus extend sincere appreciation from the Colorado Cleantech Industry to these outstanding companies and individuals who have truly made a difference as they’ve forged their paths in the cleantech sector. Further, we want to convey our appreciation to Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, who served as the keynote speaker for our first awards event.”

Electricity, Energy, Smart Grid, Solar

ROUSH CleanTech Launched

Joanna Schroeder

ROUSH has announced a new venture, ROUSH CleanTech, to develop “green” vehicles fueled by propane and other alternative fuel options. The news was given by Jack Roush, the company founder. The company has invested millions of dollars into developing liquid propane injection powered vehicles. To date, ROUSH has focused on Ford Trucks and vans but with this new initiative, more types of vehicles should be added to the line up.

“For more than 35 years the ROUSH brand has developed experience in OEM-level automotive engineering, design, manufacturing, certification, and assembly,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales & marketing. “Today we announce the formation of ROUSH CleanTech, which blends our corporate talents into delivering product into the alternative fuels landscape. Our focus is on three key areas: providing the very best in quality, performance, and service for our customers.”

In the United States there are only 300,000 propane fueled vehicles whereas there are 14 million worldwide. Mouw believes that the company’s current and future product offerings will revolutionize the way people view alternatively fueled vehicles.

According to Joe Thompson, the president of ROUSH CleanTech, propane offers a variety of advantages. “Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline,” said Thompson. “Already the third most widely used fuel, it is available ‘right here, right now’ with a national infrastructure already in place. Propane plays a strong role in lowering our national dependence on imported oil, as 90 percent of the propane used today comes from domestic sources of production, and an additional 7 percent from Canada.”

Propane

Ethanol Producers Value DDGs Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

RFAEthanol producers who attended the recent Export Exchange event sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the U.S. Grains Council know how important it is to promote increased exports of the ethanol co-product distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

“For every three bushels of corn that comes in, you get a bushel of DDG out, and what we sell that DDG for helps us to create a revenue stream so we can buy more corn,” said Walt Wendland with Golden Grain Energy of Mason, Iowa who serves as secretary on the RFA board.

2010 exports of DDGs are expected to exceed last year’s record 5.65 million tons. “One of the surprising things is that the amount of distillers grains that we’re going to be exporting for the first time is going to exceed the amount of soybean meal,” Wendland says. “We’re recognized now as being a very reliable supplier of DDG around the world.”

Listen to or download an interview with Walt Wendland here: Walt Wendland Interview

RFA Ray DefenbaughThe Export Exchange included nearly 500 attendees from 33 countries and the proceedings were translated into 7 languages. Ray Defenbaugh of Big River Resources West Burlington ethanol plant in Iowa says he has been coming to the event since it was started by USGC a few years ago. “It’s just an opportunity for networking and there’s a huge demand in other countries for DDGs,” said Defenbaugh. “If you come here and go away without having met somebody that could help you in transportation or sales from another country, than you’ve not really tried very hard.”

Defenbaugh is chairman of the DDG committee for RFA and is very pleased with the efforts they are making to increase exports of the ethanol co-product.

Listen to or download an interview with Defenbaugh here: Ray Defenbaugh Interview

Export Exchange 2010 Photo Album

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA, USGC