Mizzou to Host Forum on Biofuels, Food

John Davis

Trying to figure out how to produce enough food and fuel to run America … sustainably … and how these issues are portrayed in the media will be the subject of “Food, Fuel & Society,” a free, interactive forum on Tuesday, October 12 from 8 am – 6 pm, hosted by the University of Missouri’s Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute.

The event will be hosted by Ira Flatow, host of NPR’s Science Friday:

Look for discussions on: food, biofuels, sustainability, farming today, immigration, labor- how all of these topics affect the changing landscape of agribusiness, and how they get covered in the media and elsewhere.

For more information and registration, click here.

biofuels

USDA: US Ethanol Production More Efficient than Ever

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says ethanol production is more efficient than ever.

In an interview with USDA radio, Harry Baumes, Director of USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses says a new study shows that we’re getting more energy out of corn than what it takes to raise the feedstock and make the green fuel. One reason is a decreased amount of nitrogen being used to grow the corn.

“We’ve also become more efficient at converting corn into ethanol. Back in the early [1980s], you got about 2.2 gallons of ethanol per bushel of corn. Now, you get closer to 2.8 gallons of ethanol per bushel of corn.”

That means for every one unit of energy used to produce corn and ethanol from it, you get about 2.3 units of energy out. And he expects that to get even better.

But some worry that food prices could spike, especially if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows the ethanol blend limits for most vehicles to be raised to 15 percent, E15. Economist William Lapp of Advanced Economic Solutions and a former chief economist of ConAgra (you know, the guys who were pushing this food vs. fuel debate for their own purposes) tells USDA radio that a situation in 2007 and 2008 could show what would happen if more corn is used for ethanol.

“We had a dramatic surge in the price of corn, part of it was led by increases in ethanol demand, and we saw corn prices more than double during that time.”

Lapp contends that led to higher food prices for livestock, and, in turn, higher prices at the grocery store. But Baumes says that higher prices on the farm end don’t translate in proportional increases at the super market.

“In the U.S., if the price of all goods at the farm gate DOUBLED, we would only see a 20 percent increase in the price of goods at the grocery store.”

Baumes points out that if some of that corn is used for transportation fuels, consumers will see more money in their pockets in the form of more stable energy prices. In addition, he points out that the corn used in ethanol has dual uses in the form of the dried distillers grains that can be fed to livestock after the ethanol has been drawn out. Plus, there are other feedstocks that can be used for ethanol production.

corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Lagest Solar Photovoltaic Project in Cali Underway

Joanna Schroeder

The largest solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facility in California is underway with the solidification of a partnership between Eurus Energy America and NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG). When completed, Avenal Park, Sun City and Sand Drag, three Avenal zero-emission solar projects located in Kings County, CA, will generate a total of 45 megawatts (MW). This is enough energy to supply the needs of 36,000 homes. The projects were developed by Eurus and are jointly owned by Eruis and NRG and will be built with thin film solar panels manufactured by Sharp Electronics.

Maybe most significant about the project is that Sun City (20 MW) and Sand Drag (19 MW) have received full notice to proceed, permitting has been an area of great frustration among solar companies planning projects in California. Ryan Company Inc. is the engineering, contracting and procurement firm for the project and will begin construction immediately. The two projects are estimated to be in full operation in 2011. In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission has approved the 20-year Avenal power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric.

“The Avenal projects are just the first of many utility-scale PV solar projects that we expect to be developing, building and owning in the State of California. We are very pleased to be adding these solar power projects to our portfolio of wind projects helping California reach its nation-leading goals to increase the utilization of emission-free power generation,” said Mark E. Anderson, President and CEO of Eurus Energy America.

Recently, Californians shot down a proposal to expand their renewable portfolio standards from 20 percent to 33 percent by 2020 but in one if his last major moves as Governor, Schwarzenegger overruled the state’s decision and signed the legislation into law. NRG Solar and Eurus note that this project will help the state meet its aggressive renewable energy goals.

“We believe Avenal represents not only a bold new chapter in developing clean, zero-emission solar power in California, but also is a key piece in helping the state meet its ambitious renewable portfolio standard by the end of the decade,” said Tom Doyle, President of NRG Solar. “California continues to lead our nation in mandating the increasing use of renewable power, and, as the owners of the largest PV site there today, we look forward to continuing our partnership with California and our leadership as a developer of this bountiful, sustainable power source.”

Electricity, Solar

Electric Cars More Impactful Than RES

Joanna Schroeder

Which is better for our country in terms of oil dependence? Enacting a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) or moving forward with developing and deploying electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure? According to a new report released by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, electric cars hold greater promise for reducing emissions and lowering U.S. oil imports than a national RES.

This is just one conclusion of several made in the new study, “Energy Market Consequences of an Emerging U.S. Carbon Management Policy,” that will be released during the Baker Institute Energy Forum taking place today and tomorrow. The study folds together several academic working papers on a variety of topics, such as carbon pricing, the wind industry, global U.S. carbon and energy strategies, and renewable energy R&D.

“As the country moves forward to deliberate on energy and climate policy,” the executive summary states, “consideration must be given to what policies would best accomplish the stated goals for U.S. policy — a reduction in the need for imported oil and in greenhouse gas emissions.” The papers released at the conference seek to “clarify and debunk common myths that currently plague the U.S. energy- and climate-policy debate.”

For example, the study discovered that “the single most effective way to reduce U.S. oil demand and foreign imports would be an aggressive campaign to launch electric vehicles into the automotive fleet.” It goes on to outline that if policy were enacted that would mandate 30 percent of all vehicles must be electric by 2050, it would reduce U.S. oil use by 2.5 million barrels a day beyond the 3 million barrels-per-day savings already anticipated from the stricter fuel efficiency standards. In addition, emissions would be cut by 7 percent, 3 percent more than would would be eliminated under an RES.

In addition to the conclusions surrounding electric vehicles, the study also forecasts that natural gas will play an important role in the  future of the country’s energy mix.

conferences, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Natural Gas, Research

Sustainable Oils Leads in Camelina Biojet Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

Bozeman, Montana-based Sustainable Oils is working toward an important goal. They are working to produce advanced biofuels using sustainable methods and feedstocks. One of their prime energy crops is camelina, which has a naturally high oil content and relatively low input costs (the crop needs little water or fertilizer and is suited well to grow on marginal land). It is also an excellent rotation crop with wheat.

Sustainable Oils‘ focus is on the aviation market and they have partnered with Boeing Company as well as UOP, a Honeywell Company, to bring renewable aviation fuels to market. But the big question is can the renewable aviation fuels withstand the extreme pressures of both commercial planes as well as military jets?

To find out, the U.S. Navy and Air Force both selected Sustainable Oils, as did Japan Airlines, as a fuel partner for several tests and so far the results have been promising. Sustainable Oils President Scott Johnson told DF, “We’ve seen strong demand for camelina biojet and expect that demand to continue to grow in the coming years. The success of the 2009 Japan Airlines test flight, as well as with the 2009 Navy and Air Force test flights, demonstrate that our fuels meet the quality and performance requirements that these aircrafts demand. We’re going to continue to work closely with the U.S. military and commercial airlines to provide the next generation of domestically produced, renewable aviation biofuels that help reduce emissions and enhance energy security.”

Despite the promise that biojet fuels hold, there are grave concerns among the biofuels industry as to its future. The biodiesel tax credit expired at the end of 2009 and has not yet been extended. In addition, the DOE loan guarantee program, that was in part designed to ensure that advanced biofuels companies could have access to much need monies, has stalled with funds not dispersed to companies that have already been awarded the loans. These two issues have created a hesitancy among private investors to infuse much needed dollars into the industry to be used to go from pilot-scale projects to commercial scale production.

I asked Johnson how the lack of the biodiesel tax credit was affecting both his company and the industry. He replied, “Let’s be clear. The petroleum industry not only has a 100 year head start on the renewable fuels industry, but it also has received, and continues to receive billions of dollars in subsidies, incentives and other financial benefits.”Read More

Biodiesel, bioenergy, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Opinion

2 Days Left to Register for Export Exchange

Joanna Schroeder

Export Exchange 2010 is 10 days away but it’s not too late to register. You have two days to take advantage of pre-registration for the event which will connect DDGs (dried distillers grains) and course grain buyers with domestic sellers. Export Exchange is being held in Chicago and will be the place to get answers, make contacts and build your business. Conference attendees will learn from international leaders about current opportunity and constraints surrounding the export of U.S. DDGs and course grains, both of which are growing each month.

In addition, breakout sessions will cover contracting and risk management. coarse grain production, supply and demand, DDGs shipping, handling and contracting, and the use of DDGs in livestock industries.

Export Exchange is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association. The event will bring together more than 170 international buyers of U.S. DDGS and coarse grains with hundreds of U.S. producers and agribusinesses. Click here to register before it’s too late.

corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

Clean Energy Policy Under Fire by Big Oil & Friends

Joanna Schroeder

The Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF) has released a new analysis that concludes that Big Oil and other special interests have spent millions of dollars in lobbying and campaign contributions to defeat clean energy legislation. The study, “Dirty Money” found that the top 35 spending companies and trade associations, including oil, mining and electric utility,  invested more than $500 million in lobbying and campaign contributions from January 2009-June 2010 to crush clean energy and clean tech legislation. Besides the federal level, one of the states Big Oil has been most active in is California. When analyzed the groups spent $1,800 in lobby expenditures a day for every senator and representative during the time of the study.

According to CAPAF this high dollar spending and political pressure has convinced enough legislators to oppose clean energy measures that would have created jobs, reduced oil use and cut pollution caused by global warming. To date, no comprehensive environmental policy has been passed, the renewable electricity industry is struggling for a federal renewable energy mandate, the biodiesel industry has lost its tax credits, and rumors coming out of DC this week are that the ethanol tax credit will not be extended either.

“This year had many extreme weather disasters and fossil fuel catastrophes. Yet too many senators ignored these events and instead heeded the extreme views of big oil, dirty coal, and their allies rather than those of the American people,” said Daniel J. Weiss, Senior Fellow and Director of Climate Strategy for the Center for American Progress Action Fund. “America suffered from its hottest temperatures and worst offshore oil blowout, yet enough senators opposed clean energy reforms that made change impossible so far.”

Six of the seven companies with the largest lobbying expenditures are Big Oil companies*ExxonMobil (1), ConocoPhillips (2), Chevron (3), BP (5), Koch Industries (6), and Shell (7). According to “Dirty Money,” their 18-month lobbying expenditures total $143 million. In addition, the study reports that the American Petroleum Institute, a Big Oil front group, spent $11 million to lobby Congress to defeat pollution reductions and maintain their tax loopholes, along with another $126 million on television ads just this year alone.

“While big oil, dirty coal, and other special interests profit from inaction, everyday Americans will pay the price of doing nothing. Clean energy investments and pollution reductions would create jobs, protect public health, and reduce our oil dependence,” noted Weiss. But because enough senators caved to special interests, China will get our clean energy jobs while we are stuck with the dirty energy pollution.”

Ironically, this past July, China became the world’s largest user of energy, surpassing America and according to analysts polled by Bloomberg, China will become the largest importer of oil within the next 1o years.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Oil, Research

POET to Keynote at Wisconsin Bioenergy Summit

Joanna Schroeder

Next month, Wisconsin will host a summit to focus on the state’s future in bioenergy. The Wisconsin Bioenergy Summit, hosted by the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative (WBI), will be held on October 14, 2010. This year’s event will focus on fueling Wisconsin’s future and will feature presentations from multidisciplinary university experts, state policymakers and innovators from the private sector.

One of this  year’s keynote speakers at the Summit is Greg Hartgraves, POET’s Senior Director of Research. Hartgraves will be discussing the progress in advancing both cellulosic and corn ethanol and how they will work together in the future to make ethanol in more sustainable. Hartgraves will speak at 3:45 pm at the Montona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin.

Last month, Project Liberty, POET’s first cellulosic pilot plant that when in production will produce 25 million gallons per year of ethanol from light corn stover and corn cobs, began the world’s largest biomass harvest.

Registration for the event is open for both professionals and students and is $25 for professionals and free for students. Click here to learn more.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, conferences, Ethanol

Green Star to Build Algae-to-Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Utah-based Green Star Products, Inc. has announced it will build an algae-to-biodiesel refinery on the west coast.

This company press release says Green Star has already started building the 13 modules to process the algae oil into biodiesel:

The algae to biodiesel plant will be rated initially at two million gallons per year with all necessary provisions incorporated so that the plant can easily be expanded to larger capacities in the future. The algae bioreactor system associated with this biodiesel plant is still under negotiation. Green Star will also participate in the engineering, fabrication and construction of the algae facility.

Since this algae-to-biodiesel facility will be one of the largest of its kind ever built, it will not only be designed as a commercial facility but also serve as a giant research facility. Many other organizations will be involved, including universities and international research companies.

Mr. Joseph LaStella, President of Green Star, stated: “There are many technologies that will be incorporated into the facility including the MMB formula for algae growth, which has been verified by industry professionals in the past two years to increase algae growth 200% and more over a six day growth cycle. This algae growth booster formula has been successful in many types of algae strains including saltwater and freshwater species.”

More information is on Green Star’s website.

algae, Biodiesel

Alltech Buys Algae Fermenter for Biofuels

John Davis

Kentucky-based Alltech Inc. has bought a $14 million state-of-the-art algae fermentation facility in Winchester, Kentucky from Martek Bioscience Corporation.

This press release from the natural animal nutrition company says the facility will be used, in part, to make biofuels, including ethanol:

“For Alltech, algae fermentation presents our latest technological platform from which we expect incredible opportunities in the areas of food, feed and fuel to arise.” said Alltech Founder and President, Dr Pearse Lyons. “We have worked in this area for several years and see it playing a major role in both human and animal health and nutrition as one of the world’s more renewable food and energy sources. As with virtually all facilities we acquire, we expect to start an expansion phase here in Winchester within the next 18 months. I am confident that this will be one of the key pieces that will help our company pass the $1 billion revenue threshold in 2015,” Lyons continued.

The purchase price will be paid over four years and will include the majority of the assets on the 23 acre site. The site will be renamed Alltech Winchester and will represent a further increase of over 1 million liters of fermentation capacity for the company and become its 5th primary production site in North America and 10th globally. Alltech also has 21 further production sites, which tailor its products for its 120 local markets.

Algae are some of the fastest growing plants in nature and have the ability to convert large amounts of carbon dioxide into oxygen, a characteristic that makes it particularly interesting in today’s more environmentally conscious world.

“Alltech is actively developing processes that are derived from a variety of different algae types,” said Becky Timmons, Alltech’s Director of Applications and Quality Assurance. “Algae are one of the most diverse organisms in the world and their potential for product development is tremendously exciting for us. Alltech currently has the largest carbon dioxide sequestering algae pilot plant system in the state of Kentucky and this new acquisition will allow us to move our research yet further towards true implementation.” she continued.

The facility will allow for continued work with Alltech’s carbon dioxide sequestering algae strains as well as strains that are grown with other carbon sources. The algae will then be used for value-added feed products, algae derived bio-fuel, and the production of ethanol.

Alltech’s rural Biorefinery, which started the company’s interest in algae, will be shown off at the Future of Farming section in the Alltech Experience Pavilion at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 held in Lexington, Kentucky from September 25 to October 10, 2010.

algae, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News